Don’t you hate when you forget stuff? I do. I hate it when I forget an important date. I hate it when I forget where I put something. I hate it when I forget someone’s name or situation.
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Forgetfulness is very often a curse and sometimes I think I have a forgetory rather than a memory! I don’t think that the issue is unique only to me. We often have to work at remembering important things. We develop patterns and places that help us with remembering.
For really important things, we build monuments and conduct ceremonies, hence the memorial fountain in Central Park, Anzac Day, Sorry Day, Remembrance Day, and last Thursday, again in Central Park, we commemorated Vietnam Veterans’ Remembrance Day and dedicated a memorial there.
There are so many things to remember, and these big things need to be remembered more urgently than most meetings or moments. The words “Lest we forget” were not chosen at random. They are a warning.
At the top end of the mall near the old courthouse, there is a memorial cross for the first Christian Church service in Armidale. It stands there as the precursor for all the church gatherings and buildings that we have in this town. It is part of our history and marks the path that led to today.
I have no doubt that some would like it removed, just as there are calls each year with regard to the inappropriateness of Anzac commemorations and protests at others.
“Let’s all forget” might be a preferred slogan for some, but it should never be for the thinking and realistic. It is right and important to for us to remember important things, and we need to actively work to do it.
Each week in this city, Christians gather together in churches to be reminded of what God has done, and reminded of what he has said.
It isn’t just a meaningless pastime. It is an active participation in relationship, an active remembering. It might be time for a helpful reminder. Perhaps the forgetfulness came through busyness or a drift in priority. That need not be how it remains - check out a church this weekend.
