The Purpose of Memory (A Memorial Day Premeditation)

I’ve been thinking a lot about memory.  Whether memories can have accuracy.  Whether we can blur memory through the imaginary.  I just finished a movie called “Shuffle” that is all about remembering our lives, how our lives flash before our eyes right before we die.

As I emptied the trash I asked God what the purpose of memory is.  He re-asked me the question.  I though of communion, but felt my brain in pain.  I knew we were to remember the Sabbath, to take communion in remembrance of Christ.  But my mind drew a blank. 

Then God revealed it.

The purpose of memory is to honor God.   

These are the ways we do so:

Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, "I find no pleasure in them"—Ecclesiastes 12:1

We are to remember our Creator, the Creator.  That in the beginning He was.  Before us, He existed.  Without us, He existed.

We remember our Creator, and thus remember we were created.  We call to mind that we are creatures, existing for God, and not God for us.

We remember that He made us, and all that He has done for us.  Every time we thank God, we remember these three things:  The Creator, His Creation, and His blessings upon Creation.

We remember salvation, that Jesus died for us.

We remember all of the promises He has kept, and thus the promises He will keep.

We remember that He will come again.

We thus remember why we are alive.