Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Remember

Throughout God's word we will continually find Him telling His people, "Remember.....when I heard your cries in Egypt, parted the Red Sea, sent the Angel of Death. I Am the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. I will never leave you or forsake you." On and on He reminds those He loves of His constancy in their lives. He apparently reminds us that we are forgetful. We doubt His love. Forget His faithfulness. Choose to believe that we are the ones in control. And so He calls us to remember.

Billy and I just returned from a wonderful trip to San Antonio and as is our custom, we went to the Alamo. For those of us from Texas, the Alamo is a symbol of our freedom from Mexico. It is because of the sacrifice of a few hundred men, women and children that Texas does not fly the flag of Mexico today. Every year in Texas history we would be reminded of the cost of our freedom. How their sacrifice mobilized a motley crew of soldiers to soundly and forever defeat Mexico's vastly superior - in number and strength - army.


As I entered the hallowed grounds I did remember and I was deeply moved by the beauty of the place. Surrounded by a city, this place of great sacrifice has been lovingly and painstakingly restored and maintained by people who also choose to remember. Their remembrance comes in the form of action. They don't just think about a symbol - they actively maintain it in the form of loving service so that others can know and remember too.



I believe it is a picture of how our lives are to be lived. Lives of remembrance of the blood shed that we might live - abundant, free and eternal. It reminded me that my body houses the Holy Spirit and therefore should be a peaceful and beautiful place of reminder for those who come into my presence.

When we left the Alamo, we slowly walked down the riverwalk. Bustling with people and sweltering in the Texas heat, it stood in marked contrast to the place where life was lost.
And then I rounded a corner and saw this
beauty in the midst of heat. Color in the midst of chaos. And I couldn't help but think - "this is how I want to be." A respite in the hectic and frenetic pace that is life today. Beauty amidst the heat of the fire. A stopping place to remember and draw a breath. God is here. He loves us. He proved it by shedding His precious blood that we might live.

Remember the Alamo! Oh yes, but far and beyond.....remember the cross!