Why Don't We Remember

Joshua 4

Reading through Joshua, I realized that You again led the people through the water. Crossing the Jordan, You held the waters up miraculously so that all of Israel could cross through on dry land. And after the people got through, they picked up twelve stones to make a monument, an altar, to remember what You had done for them.

Except, we don't really remember this miracle. Despite their actions, the parting of the Reed Sea is way more remembered than this parting of the Jordan. This is one of those miracles where I wouldn't even remember it unless someone was like, "Didn't God part the Jordan when the people were going into the land." Oh, right, yea. I think He did...

Well, the stones really weren't for me to remember anyway, but they serve a good point. Why do we have such a hard time remembering the things You've done for us? Set aside the arduous task of even recognizing what You've done (I'm finding that to be difficult in and of itself!) Sometimes, You act obviously. Oftentimes, we even forget that!

It would be an interesting study to think about the things that I should remember. What have You done that You are really proud of in my life? With the Israelites, it's obvious to see that You are really proud of helping them out of Egypt and into the promised land. "I am the God who brought You out of Egypt" is a real common theme and phrase throughout the Bible. That seems to be the defining moment of who You are for the nation of Israel. So what is my defining moment, the one I need to constantly look back on?

And I don't want to force this, maybe not everyone has a "defining moment" of God working. But I think I do. Back in college, that I always quote all the time in all sorts of sermons and school teachings. Why do I love You? Because You made me give it up, and then gave it back to me. You wanted me to be prepared to give it all to You, and then You gave it back to me. You are the God who does that. You are the God who wants to be first, above all, but if You are You allow us to enjoy the blessings of this world You created. Love, family, security... they are all given back to us when we would give them up for You.

Perhaps that is what I need to remember. It certainly would help my slowly and attentively if I could remember that You are the #1 priority in my life. You the God who gives back with blessing, help me remember You.

A Passion That's Been Building and Building

So, Lord God, I'm really trying to get back into a reading schedule, a prayer ritual, and some other personal habits that will allow me to make the time with You a priority. Yesterday and Monday night with the teaching meeting, I was contemplating discipline and what it means. Today as I read through Genesis I think I get even a different take on discipline.

Jacob, a character who I find fascinating, has spent twenty-some years away from his homeland and returns to settle there. His father Isaac had only one God, You namely. But when Jacob goes to find a wife among his own people, those who his grandfather Abraham had left behind, he is again influenced by a culture of many gods. So when he returns to his homeland, his household (servants, children, wives) are bringing with them many different gods.

Jacob had continually had encounters with You and seemed to be dedicated to serving only You. So when he settled down, You said, "Go ... build an altar there to God, who appeared to You..." I find it super interesting when people build altars in the Old Testament. Why and what are they doing?

To me, an altar is like a marker, a sign post, a reminder. Jacob builds the altar at Bethel, the area of land that he settles in. Because the altar is so close, it must have been a daily reminder to him of the Lord, and the things You had done for him. Perhaps it was also a way for Jacob to be reminded to be thankful, because he built the altar in recognition that You had been with him wherever he went.

So, now considering this for me... we don't make many altars anymore. But that doesn't mean that we can't have signposts, markers, reminders. In many ways, that is what a spiritual discipline does. Just like Jacob, when we enter into a discipline we have to "get rid of the foreign gods we have with us," i.e. the things that distract us from You. As we do that we begin to build a tradition or ritual that we daily experience as way of reminder.

Without discipline, without reminder, our hearts are easily blown about. But there is something settling and grounding in a tradition of discipline.

So this morning and coming mornings, let me continue to put off other thoughts and distractions and build up my time spent with You. Let me be grounded in You and in remembrance today.

Remember the Poor

Just an interesting observation today as I read through Galatians. Paul is defending the simple gospel that he preached to the believers in Galatia, saying that if somebody is preaching something different, they are wrong. So Paul goes through a process of backing up his version of the gospel, showing how those with authority and those who were highly esteemed by the early church approved of what he was saying.

Interesting then, that the one thing these early church leaders reminded Paul must not be left out of his gospel message: "Remember the poor." Paul was preaching a gospel of freedom from the law by living in the grace of Christ, but the one thing that the apostles wanted to make sure also was conveyed was that the poor in the community must be provided for. It is, apparently, an essential part of the gospel, an essential part of Jesus' truth.

It's sad then to look at the state of American Christianity. We have embraced Paul's theme of freedom from the law, the forgiveness of sin through Christ. But have we ever forgotten the poor. We have more wealth in this country than we know what to do with. So we buy bigger houses, bigger TVs, newer... anyways, I'm on a silly rant right now. How well do I remember the poor?

I like to console myself by the fact that I volunteer, support a Compassion child, etc. But is that remembering the poor in the way that God calls us to? I don't really ever feel so. My biggest problem is my fear of the poor. I never grew up around anyone who wasn't well taken care of. It makes me really nervous and uncomfortable to be around less refined, less educated, less fortunate people. How awful is that! I mean it seriously shames me.

But I do nothing about it. Because it really does scare me. It a ridiculous little circle. Fear and no action, fear and no action. But the fear-of-the-Lord is to be stronger than my fears. Can I let it be stronger than my fear of the poor? Can I form relationships and remember those who struggle...

I'm afraid I want to answer: "Probably not..."