Forgetting to Remember
Pastoral | March 20, 2025 | By: Hank Young
A few times a year, my mom comes to visit from Central Illinois, an incredibly flat part of the country. Unfortunately, whenever she visits, she insists on flying into a smaller airport an hour away—even though there’s a perfectly good airport 20 minutes from my house.
Her flight also always seems to land before the sun even thinks about coming up. After picking her up, the first few minutes of the conversation are always the same. I lovingly tease her about picking her up so early and remind her of the airport that is practically right down the road. She then reminds me of the pains of childbirth, and we call it even.
As we make our way back, she looks out the window, spots Camelback Mountain, and as the sun just starts to touch the peak, she always remarks: “Buddy, isn’t that incredible? Look at those colors! Look at that glow as the sun hits the top of the mountain. I love the shadows it makes, too! You get to see this every day—how amazing is that?”
She sees something remarkable that I’ve stopped noticing. And every time she points it out, I pause, take a fresh look, and say, “Yeah, that is incredible.” I need that reminder.
This year, my small group decided to work through The Bible Recap together. As we read through Exodus last month, something in chapter 19 caught my attention. By this point in the story, the Israelites had already witnessed incredible miracles—God rescued them from slavery, split the Red Sea, provided manna, and brought water from a rock. Yet, when God calls Moses to the mountain, He begins with a call to remember.
“You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself.” – Exodus 19:4 (NIV)
This struck me as odd. These miraculous events just happened. Why would God need to remind them? I even flipped back a few pages, half-expecting to find something like, “Then 40 years passed before God moved again.” But no—it had been less than two months since they left Egypt.
The Israelites needed this reminder because, like most of us, they were painfully forgetful. Unfortunately, we tend to grow accustomed to even extraordinary blessings from God.
The Israelites woke up to manna from heaven every morning. At first, they were undoubtedly in awe, marveling at the sight of God’s provision, but over time, what was once astonishing became familiar. The daily appearance of manna became expected, the pillar of fire and cloud guiding them became customary, and the extraordinary acts of God faded into the backdrop of their everyday lives.
Over time, what was once astonishing became familiar.
As frustrating as this seems, we can clearly see ourselves in the story. The way we view God’s grace can follow the same pattern. Over time, our salvation, God’s mercy, and His ongoing work in our lives can become something we acknowledge but no longer truly see.
At first, when we encounter Jesus, we are overwhelmed by the weight of our sin and the depth of His love. Many of us remember what it felt like to carry shame and guilt while searching for purpose and never finding peace. We see our sin for how destructive, isolating, and hopeless it truly is. Then, we meet Christ, and everything changes. Sometimes, though, the transformation we once marveled at can become something we take for granted, no longer stirring us as it once did.
This is why Paul urges us in Ephesians 2:12 (NIV): “Remember that at that time you were separate from Christ… without hope and without God in the world.”
Why does Paul tell us to remember what it was like to have no hope? Because when we forget what we’ve been saved from, we lose sight of the incredible grace we’ve received.
When we forget what we’ve been saved from, we lose sight of the incredible grace we’ve received.
Some of us can look back and say that God saved us in a way that felt like being carried on eagles’ wings. Others, like me, grew up in church and don’t have a dramatic “before-and-after” story. Regardless of when we came to Christ, though, we all previously had a life set on a course apart from Christ. Without Him, we would still be lost, shaped by our selfishness, and drawn toward the things that leave us empty.
Paul’s reminder isn’t meant to fill us with guilt over the past, though. Instead, it moves us toward gratitude and transformation. When Paul reflects on his past, he remembers God’s immeasurable grace. He says in 1 Timothy 1:15-16 (NIV): “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His immense patience as an example for those who would believe in Him and receive eternal life.”
Paul sees his own story as evidence of God’s patience and power, which have completely transformed him.
In his message on Holiness from February 23, Pastor Jamie said that the best way to grow in holiness is to look back. Holiness begins with a relationship which leads to radical righteousness. By reflecting on what Christ did for us and who we were without Christ, we become fueled by gratitude and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Remembering, though, takes intentionality and time. So how will you create the space to remember? Maybe you need to hit pause on a busy schedule, find a quiet place, and spend a few hours with God in reflection. As Pastor Jamie encourages us, maybe you need to write down milestones, like a spiritual birthdate, and celebrate it. Maybe you just need people in your life who can remind you about God’s astonishing mercy. As forgetful as I am, I need physical tokens of remembrance scattered throughout my home and office that catch my eye and remind me of His grace in my life.
Whatever it is, let’s look back and get caught up in the awe of our salvation. Let’s celebrate what God has done and step forward in a grateful pursuit of righteousness!
Hank Young
Shea Groups & Enrichment Pastor
As we take time to remember God’s grace in our lives, join us for our Good Friday and Easter services. Together, let's reflect on and celebrate what made this incredible gift of salvation possible!
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