Why Remember?

If you have spent much time in the Old Testament, you probably remember multiple times when the main character would set up a marker in an effort to remember a major event or lesson. One example is when Joshua and the Israelites set up 12 stones where God had cut off the flow of the Jordan river for them to cross.

Why did God ask them to do this? Here is His explanation:

Each of you lift a stone onto his shoulder, one for each of the Israelite tribes, so that this will be a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ you should tell them, ‘The waters of the Jordan were cut off in front of the ark of the Lord’s covenant…’ Therefore these stones will always be a memorial for the Israelites.”
Joshua 4:5-7

Examples In Scripture

There are other examples of markers being set up to remember a certain event or covenant. Jacob set up a marker on multiple occasions (Genesis 35:1-15; Genesis 28:10-22). Aaron wore memorial stones on his ephod (Exodus 28:6-12). Joshua later set up a single stone as a witness of the covenant between the God and the Israelites (Joshua 24:25-27).

Often times, we read quickly past these moments in the Bible, thinking there is no real application for us. However, I think we are missing a tremendous lesson when we do this. Just like the Israelites, we have moments in time when God steps in and we want to remember it. We also want to be able to tell our children (and others) the stories later so they can draw faith from our experiences.

What Are We Doing?

What are we doing to make sure we remember? What are we doing to cause others to ask, “What does that ____ (pile of stones) mean?” If there is no marker, what will cause them to ask?

I have been applying this lesson over the years in several ways. In my office, both at work and at home, I have set up a number of “markers” that help me to remember the God moments I have experienced.

Some of them are there to help me remember specific events while others remind me of the vision God has given me at various times. Some are in my prayer “war room” so I remember to pray for certain people or issues. Whatever the case, these markers do not have to be fancy, complex, or even pretty! They just need to do the job.

My Examples

Here are a couple of examples for me:

Crushed Coke can (bronzed) – This sits on my desk at work and reminds me of a time when I thought our company vision should be, “Crush the Competition!” I rushed into adopting this vision before taking the time to pray about it first. We changed our vision statement, but the can remains as a reminder. It generates many questions from visitors to my office!

Hand carved, wooden globe – I purchased this globe in a market in Haiti to remind me of the time my family spent there. I also want to remember the need to look outside of my own small bubble to see all the needs God has shown me in the world.

Picture of silhouettes – This picture hangs over my computer desk at home to remind me of the vision God has given me to add (and now multiply) silhouettes. I keep a version of the same picture on my cell phone’s home screen as well.

You Should Begin!

I encourage you to begin the practice of using reminders of your own to help you remember what God has done in your life and in your business. Make sure the objects themselves do not become the focus of your attention, but instead simply point you back to Him!

I think you will find this practice will help you remain focused on what God has done for you in the past AND what He has promised you for the future.

What are some of the God moments you want to remember!

What is your current method for making sure to remember?

What markers could you create to help you remember?

photo by FreeImages.com/Courtney Icenhour