A Study on Rememberance
One of the most valuable neurological tools we have available to help us cope with the everyday challenges of life is our “memory,” a human system that helps us recall and examine events just as they had occurred. We even have the capacity to mitigate loss and amplified pain through its revisionist history, as if catapulted back into another realm of time. Memory is selective. The power and applicability of remembrance, in its role as “storyteller,” takes license over the “storyline” of life events and opens up all channels as they are imagined by the motivation of witnesses.
Memory impacts our life experiences, as well as who we are and yet to become. As our memories take center stage in the ‘drama of life,’ we are once again reminded of the unspeakable pain and suffering borne not only by our beloved keepers of the peace (those whom we memorialize today), but also by those whose journey has taken them to the foot of the cross of Jesus, and perhaps even unto death for His sake.
While such memories are often painful, I like to think that they also allow one to conjure the most beautiful things of life (this relates to eternal life as well) and the places by which we inhabit such things. One might use the “glass half-empty” principle… referring to our perspective as being the determinant. For assuredly some remembrances can be dark and sinister according to the predisposition of the individual or their present state of mind. Therefore, we must always surrender the domain of our minds to the Lord’s control, expressing the truth on every subject matter by the revelation of His Spirit.
In the absence of clear imagery (especially if we weren’t first-hand witnesses), I believe God has created us to see good things and to recall and share that hope with all of human kind. For example, where would we all be were it not for the faithfulness and vision of Noah? Perhaps a person might humorously reply, “Wetter!” With all kidding aside, the following Scripture passage reflects on God’s decision to honor Noah’s art of faith in keeping with this Old Testament Bible character’s obedience and vision.
“It shall be, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the rainbow shall be seen in the cloud; and I will remember My covenant which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. The rainbow shall be in the cloud, and I will look on it to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth”
Our respected ministry founder, Pastor Richard Wurmbrand, discovered the secret of drawing joy from sorrow. He also knew how to alter his perspective by imagining a prison cell packed with angels to whom he could preach hundreds of sermons throughout the term of his solitary incarceration. Yet, as is evidenced by the human propensity for war, there is also the capacity within the mind to envision evil. Such images are increasingly becoming a trademark of Hollywood.
At this time of year, as we approach Remembrance Day (and, coincidentally, another day of remembrance: The International Day of Prayer*), I’m mindful of war-weary soldiers who will once again be reverently laying down their wreaths as they stand guard over a cenotaph; the pain of their loss being almost unbearable. Yet, in the midst of such suffering, there is the comfort of knowing that God has something very hopeful in His mind. In fact, He envisions a completely different picture.
According to Genesis 8:20-21, a similar sense of optimism had ironically flowed from Noah’s court to that of the Most High while building an altar and offering pleasing sacrifices to our Lord. This resulted in a pardon being granted for humankind’s disobedience. What caught my attention was the Lord’s response to Noah’s heart of worship: “…I will remember My covenant that is between Me and you.”
God’s icon for all time, and the lasting memory tool by which He would stand true to His Word, was in the remembrance and imagery of a rainbow. To others, that imagery may appear to be innocuous. However, to Noah (and so many other faithful followers of God throughout the ages), it has served as a reminder of a time in history when all of life was literally hanging in the balance – and Noah’s perspective with it.
For us today, this symbol is an ongoing reminder of humanity’s need for the Promised Saviour – our Lord Jesus – whose sacrificial love is still being extended as a “lifeline” of rescue from sin and depravity. We can be assured that this same lifeline of salvation ultimately leads to a glorious future with Him in eternity, along with His angelic host and all who remain faithful to the end.
* This year’s International Day of Prayer (IDOP) is taking place on November 1st. On behalf of our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ, we invite you to participate in this global prayer vigil.
For more information, visit www.IDOP.ca.
