I had to do a lot of memorising this week for my neuroscience mid-semester exam. In case you're interested, the part of our brain that remembers is called the Temporal Lobe, and the Hippocampus is where our long-term memories are created. 😊
The funny thing is my family laugh at me regularly, as I have a little habit of saying "I remember", so now my remembering tendency is being put to good use…hopefully it helped me pass my exam.
I remember lots of things. Important events, people's faces and names, experiences and places I've been. I remember learning I was expecting each of our children, their milestones and the special moments I treasure with them. I remember the first time I saw my husband and the moment he said I love you for the first time. I remember times when God has spoken to me or revealed more of Himself to me. I remember visions and dreams and encounters with Him.
I think it's important to remember important details in our lives because life goes by so fast, and you will forget otherwise. It's why it's helpful to mentally and emotionally pause and take a mental snapshot to store what you are experiencing for later in your memories.
The Bible is full of God encouraging people to take snapshots of what they had gone through and what He did amongst their experiences, and where He had revealed himself and showed up on the scene and delivered His people.
He then encouraged them to build a memorial or to leave a marker to remind themselves and their descendants every time they passed that spot of what God had done for them. (Joshua 4:4-7)
Easter, Christmas, every time we take communion or even things like writing down what God has done or spoken to us are markers to help us remember what Jesus has done for us.
He loves us so much that he came to earth, preached good news, healed the sick, raised the dead and then willingly chose to sacrifice His life so that we might be free from the power and consequences of sin, evil and a fallen world.
Life suddenly looks more hopeful when we document and remember all that He has done for us and what He has revealed and promised. We increasingly realise that the devil's power is broken in our lives, that we are not alone, that God sees and is working on our behalf, that we have nothing to fear and that we have a home and passport to heaven.
"For the devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil". (1 John 3:8)
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him." (John 3:17)
Today I encourage you to take some time to remember Jesus and all He has done for you and the promises in His Word regarding your circumstances and future. It has the power to set you free, heal you, provide for your needs, catapult you into your future and make you whole as you reflect on the fact that He died, conquered sin and death, and triumphed over the devil so you can have an abundant, full life free from guilt and shame. (John 10:10)
Now, that is something worth remembering and telling others about.
Prayer: Thank you for everything you have done and are doing in my life. Please help me remember every day, especially whenever I face difficulties, that you have won over the power of evil and have a purpose and plan for my life. In Jesus' name Amen.