The Decision to Remember

Today is 9/11. We don’t have to tell anyone why that’s significant or take time to explain the reasons for its significance. Stating “9/11” immediately conjures painful memories, grief, resentment, and a resolve to remember. Everyone who lived through that painful day (either in person at Ground Zero or watching the experience on television) made a conscious decision during the aftermath. “Never forget” was on every heart.

Why?

The old adage is painfully true: “Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” We decide to remember the hard days and the lessons that were forged through those experiences. If we do not, then in many ways, the sacrifice of those who lost so much feels like it was all in vain. Today, crowds will gather at the memorial in Manhattan, at the Pentagon, and in a field in Pennsylvania to read the names of all those who died on that day. “Never forget” will be on every heart.

As I read through the Book of Exodus, revisiting the details about Moses’ life and his leadership of the people of Israel, I saw the “never forget” of Moses’ lifetime. Never forget that God brought you out of Egyptian captivity. Never forget that your suffering was bitter. Never forget that your protection came because you hid behind the blood of the lamb. Never forget the Lord.

So I would add another to us all. “Never forget WHO you are and WHOSE you are.” We represent the Lord when we claim to be His followers. We must decide to remember that we belong to a Savior who laid down His life to ransom us from sin and death. Everything we do must be couched in our decision to remember HIM, HIS instructions, HIS call on our lives, and HIS great sacrifice for our pardon.

When we remember, we honor that legacy.