Remember

It was during this very hour, 21 years ago, that our country was experiencing confusion and fear.

Many of you will remember where you were around the 9 o'clock hour on that day. I remember I was walking through the hallway near the offices and a co-worker asked, “Did you just hear? They think a plane ran into one of the big skyscrapers in New York City.”

From there the news trickled in. Little by little a much bigger picture started to unfold.

I remember talking with other staff members. Talking with Day Care staff.

Phone calls started coming in to the church and the center. Mostly to hear if things were ok here.

Many calls were from parents who were leaving work to come pick up their children to simply go home and wait and watch and be together. Lots of uneasiness at that point in the day.

As each event happened there were questions about what else could happen.

Safety measures were begun. Air traffic was closed. Military was placed on alert.

It was just a horrible day.

I think that we would all say that is a horrible memory.

It took quite a few days to come to an estimated death toll…nearly 3000 on that day alone.

Today we call this day Patriot Day a Day of Service and Remembrance.

Right now as we are sitting here today, names are being read in a number of places. The names of those who lost their lives on that day innocently.

Not only are those names being read, but memorial services are taking place to remember the efforts of those who did all they could to save lives during and after.

We do these things, take part in these things…even have a church service where it is mentioned and focused on....to remember.

This past week we saw the news and the shows that honored the memory of Queen Elisabeth. Her life…memories of her. The UK and others are currently in what is called a 10 day mourning for the queen. 10 days of grieving…remembering her, her family, and others. Holding them in prayer and thought. Remembering.

To truly remember someone, to think about them, seems to be a big deal doesn’t it.

Last weekend a group from NICC went up to the Hall of Fame during the Black College Football Hall of Fame Classic last Sunday to remember, honor and just appreciate some people. Our Men’s Alliance ministry hosted a lunch for Canton City Police officers and the Stark County deputies. And I think quite a few came by for lunch…to chat…to say thanks.

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From 9/11 on we, I think most of us, I think have tried to remember first responders … maybe in a different way than we had before. Since then we’ve seen many efforts to help us remember and honor those who willingly place themselves in situations where there is high risk…where their skill and quick thinking can save lives…often at the risk of their own life.

As much as we don’t like the memory of what happened on 9/11…we value what it has maybe moved us towards. Patriotism for sure…

but I think a bigger feeling that we live life together...

That it is good recognizing and honoring people.

That it’s good to remembering those lost.

To Think about those who grieve.

To Praying for God to work in the situation. Praying that God would continue to use us.

So today as you’re watching the memorial shows and reading the articles…It is good to remember people…to reach out…to pray for those involved. To remember that we live life together.

And as a church family…it is very important that we remember that we can have an incredible part to play. Our honor and appreciation and care and concern come from the highest place possible…the very heart of God himself.

Memory

Memory…Animals remember things…the dog we have at home…husky mix. Wow…and if you have a pet many of you will know this…well, our dog absolutely holds to patterns of behavior. Habit. Routine.

And if he’s out of that routine…we hear about it. Like a husky lets someone know they want …whatever...

People remember differently. Well, I think we were made to remember differently. Sometimes we don’t...

There was once a man walking down the road early in the evening when he came upon a farmer and his dog bringing in a herd of cattle. The farmer’s trusty dog was doing most of the work. The old old farmer only giving a whistle every now and then. The cows were in and the walker turned to the farmer to tell him how amazed he was at how well she handled those cows. “That’s incredible…so what’s your pup’s name?”

The old farmer leaned on his cane and scratched his head a bit. He looked at the man with a little embarrassment and said, “You know sometimes at my age you just can’t remember things.” Oh that’s ok replied the visitor.

The farmer went on, “What’s that flower that grows in a bush and has thorns?”

The man smiled and replied, “A Rose?”

“Yes, said the farmer,…as he turned to his wife who was walking up behind them. Rose, what’s our dog’s name?”

I think memory is an incredible thing given by God.

We know this because of how horrible we feel when we begin to forget things. Like me…some of you know stories.

And or us as humans ...to remember something is more than just bring back data.

Ok so we all know this to be true. So your significant other…it is good for you to remember their birthday…right? Yeah...

But is it just remembering it…like on that day you walk up and say, “Hey, I woke up this morning and remembered that it is your birthday.” And that’s it…that’s all you say...

You’re going to get a sour look if not a threat of some sort.

You remember a special or an important day because it’s meaningful…because it’s special to someone…and you remember it for them. Because you want them to have joy...

It’s much more than data.

There’s another thing about memory...

Memory drive us to do something. It should help us in some way or form.

And we know that we can use memory or not use it correctly right? Or sometimes it just becomes hard to remember. Some of us are there together aren’t we?

Here in Canton we have a large memorial to help us remember a former president and his family.

We have a place that allows us some fun memories…Canton Classic Car museum…many go through there and smile…looking at the older autos. Remember days gone by.

We have a place that allows us to remember watching some of our favorite sports icons play a game. The pro football hall of fame helps us remember…honor…respect those people involved in that game.

Memory. To remember helps us do important things for people. To remember probably helps many of us not to do certain things…things that we’ve given up…ways of life that we’ve left to become healthier…closer to Christ.

Memory has a lot of applications doesn’t it?

Let’s take a minute and look at the topic of memory in scripture…and maybe find how God might be using our ability to remember to help us get closer to Him and truth.

In the Old Testament we have an account that is huge. It is one of the biggest events for God’s people.

God’s family Israel had been slaves in Egypt for 400 years…knowing that there was a promise given at some point in time that God would rescue them. And most of us know the story.

The 10 Plagues…which all in a very real way…focused on the (g)ods of Egypt…ending with the Passover. Which became, through God’s command…the big memorial dinner…a dinner…a time of remembrance of what God had done for them.

And then all through our Bible in the OT we have God pointing back to that event.

“Remember when I brought you out of Egypt.”

“Remember, I’m the God who defeated Egypt and brought you out to freedom.”

“Remember, I’m the God who set you free.”

I don’t think that God is puffing his chest out when He reminds them of this event. I think there’s another point.

Remember what I’ve done for you…because I’m still with you and have bigger plans…I set you free for something …don’t forget that.

You see when God does something in our lives it is so easy to then, as time goes on…forget that thing. Times get rough, Satan gets a foothold or a toe in the door…and then he goes about helping us to remember all the rough stuff.

Then God comes in and says…remember when?....

I think God wants us to remember Him…because He has done things in history…and in our lives…that all are leading somewhere significant. And sure…He doesn’t want us to forget the things He’s done for us all along…but He really doesn’t want to have us forget where it’s all leading either…that’s the whole point!

So what can this memory that God has given us drive us towards…how can it help us in the here and now?

Jesus. Jesus, gave us a passage that is really important to us all…individually and as a church family.

Paul writes to the church in Corinth to remind them…of the importance of this one thing that they do.

1 Corinthians 11:23–25 CSB

23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

Memory

Why Remember?

What is it good to remember?

What does it drive us towards?