Have you ever gone into a room searching for something, but when you got there, you forgot for what you were searching? I suppose we all have done that. Often, forgetfulness occurs more frequently as a person ages. In fact, some deal with severe memory loss in their sunset years. While some forgetfulness is inevitable, sometimes amid life’s daily challenges, I forget some things that I really need to remember!
Firstly, sometimes I forget my perspective. One thing I have really learned, especially during the last year, is how quickly a correct perspective can become obscured. Occasionally, I find myself getting twisted and tangled with the problems of the world, so much so, that I forget what my perspective should be. By perspective, I simply mean my outlook, my focus – what is truly important. No matter what the world around me is doing or becoming, I must not forget, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). My outlook, no matter what my surroundings are, is to be focused on God and His glory. When I allow the world and all of its problems to become my perspective, I can never ‘let the peace of God rule in my heart’ (Colossians 3:15). I can never be at peace with those around me (Romans 12:18), and I can certainly never rejoice as I need to (Philippians 4:4) as long as my perspective is wrested away from a focus on God. Our perspective must remain right if we are to remain right. Do not forget your perspective!
Secondly, sometimes I forget my passion. Sometimes, I allow myself to get so caught up in trying to fix all of the political and social ills our nation faces that I forget as a Christian I have a different passion than those with whom I associate in the world. As a child of the King, my passion must be for sharing His message and His love with everyone I meet. It is so easy to forget that political candidates, hot button issues, pandemics and everything else that the devil is currently using to divide us are not what my life is all about. My passion must be to light this dark world as well as to flavor and to preserve it with salt (Matthew 5:13-16). While Timothy was faced with all kinds of evil problems in his world, Paul reminded him what his passion needed to be: “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee” (1 Timothy 4:16). I simply cannot forget that my passion is not to argue and fight over trivial matters of this world, but to be patient, humble and kindly teach all men (2 Timothy 2:24-26). Dear friend, do not forget your passion!
Thirdly, sometimes I forget my power. I know it sounds silly, but sometimes I try to go it alone in this world. I sometimes rely way too much on myself and far too less on Jesus. I am ashamed about that, but sometimes I forget that in and of myself I am simply not good enough, righteous enough or strong enough to make it on my own. What I need to remember is that the only way I can be successful in this life and to advance to my heavenly home is to “…do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). My forgetfulness often puts me in the same boat as the Sadducees of Jesus’ day when our Lord said, “…you do not know the power of God” (Matthew 22:29). Jesus my Lord sustains everything by His power (Hebrews 1:3; Colossians 1:16). While I intellectually know that God is so powerful that He can accomplish more than I could ask or even think (Ephesians 3:20), I sometimes forget it! I need God, daily and hourly. Even one second without Him would spell doom! May we never forget that!
Truth be told, sometimes I forget! I am certain that as I age, my forgetfulness may even increase. Many things may be forgotten, but my daily prayer and meditation must be to remember my perspective, my passion and my power. Much of the day’s anxieties and worries will quickly fade when our minds are refreshed with what really matters. Do not forget it!
