Memories of the Future

 

As we grow older, people and places from childhood may be lost to us.  

I loved my grandparents' farm. It is a place ingrained in my memory as representing home and family; their home became the secure place of my childhood. Just a few years ago that farm was sold, ending a five generation, physical place of belonging for my mother's people.  My mother's death just a few years later capped my perception of loss of belonging and home. 

This morning it came to me in prayer that memories of the past--things for which I sometimes long with a homesick heart--actually still exist for me. Memories of arms that welcome and hearts that love foreshadow the complete love and belonging we will have for eternity in Christ.  

Warm memories of people and places of the past might be called "memories of the future," because faith, hope, and love will last for eternity. We can trust that our longings for remembered joys will be fulfilled in our future with Him.  

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He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. 

Revelation 21:4

Move a Little Faster!

 

Remember the iconic scene in Jurassic Park when the T-Rex was chasing the jeep?  Jeff Goldblum's character was in the backseat (thus closest to the gaping jaws of the huge dinosaur) and he said, "Must...go...faster!"  

We don't really know how fast we are able to go until the Lord provides motivation via life circumstances. I feel certain that our Lord prefers not to frighten us into cooperation, and so we probably will not find ourselves being pursued by wild animals. But we can rest assured that the God who created us knows us so well that He is able to motivate us to greater effort to obey His instruction. His strategies may indeed cause an adrenaline rush followed by the recognition that we are able to move a little faster than we thought. The comforts of complacency rarely work toward the Lord's purposes. 

God always keeps His promises. Lord, help us to move as quickly as we are able toward the fruition of the blessings You have promised us through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Amen!