Forgetfulness

"What have you learned since you have been freed from the yoke of communism?" I asked. My friend answered, "The lesson I have learned is how easy it is to forget." He went on to say, "It is like taking a shower. If all you have is cold water, you do not like it but you become accustomed to it. However, when given hot water for the first time, that hot water feels extraordinary. The next day you continue to marvel at how wonderful it is. As the days continue, you enjoy the luxury of hot water. But soon, oh too soon, that hot water is not so special anymore. You forget how bad cold water was and you no longer delight in the comfort of the warm water. Forgetfulness is like that; we forget past struggles and become 'soft'."

Forgetfulness is common to us all, sometimes encompassing major issues and sometimes encompassing minor issues. At times, I forget the name of a good friend. When asked, I can’t remember what I did yesterday.

Forgetfulness in everyday life may be irritating, but not devastating. Forgetting the essentials, however, is dangerous. Our pastor condensed the "whys" of ourforgetfulness, as it relates to God, into the following.

• Evil - "And the sons of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, and forgot the Lord their God." (Judges 3:7)
• Too much activity - "For Israel had forgotten his Maker and built palaces; And Judah has multiplied fortified cities." (Hosea 8:14)
• Pride - ". . . then your heart becomes proud and you forget the Lord your God. . . " (Deuteronomy 8:14)
• Neglecting God and His Word - "You neglected the Rock who begot you, and forgot the God who gave you birth." (Deuteronomy 32:18). "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. . . Since you have forgotten the law of your God." (Hosea 4:6)

Forgetting someone's name can be embarrassing. Forgetting the past may have dire consequences. But forgetting God is tragic.

". . . then watch yourself, lest you forget the Lord." (Deuteronomy 6:12)

Sharing the journey with you,