The Art of Remembrance

Learning to remember your true identity and rest in God's love

The irony of humanity is the ease it takes to share wisdom with others and the difficulty that comes with applying it yourself. I’ve found this especially true when it comes to trusting God — it’s far easier to talk about surrender than to truly live it out. And I find myself returning to this lesson again and again, especially in seasons when I’m tempted to strive instead of trust.

And that’s where the real challenge comes in…

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.
But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.”

James 1:22-25 NIV

The funny thing about life is that when we overcome an obstacle – we think it’s done. Boom, I’ve overcome that!

Yes…

And no…

God will always challenge your heart.

“...The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
1 Samuel 16:7 NIV

Our hearts long for belonging. For purpose. For growth. For change. But most of all, it longs for love - because we were designed that way.

And we are only satisfied when God is at the centre of our hearts. Anything else will just become a distraction.

“God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.”
— John Piper

But, we so easily fall into hustling, performing or having to prove a point because we forget about our identity in Christ. We fall into the fear of man. And we FORGET that it’s truly only about what God thinks. And he already thinks we are wonderful.

I’m learning that a lot of life is simply — remembering.

Remembering our identity in Christ.

Remembering that we are worth it.

Remembering that we are loved, adored and made pure by the blood of Jesus.

Remembering that we don’t deserve any of this life, but that it has been freely given.

So when we are in hustle, perform and prove mode, we simply forget.

We forget about the price He paid. We forget how much Jesus loves us. We forget that we don’t deserve any of it. That our lives are gifts made to be used to glorify HIM. We forget that we don’t have to hustle. We forget that He is the King of the Universe. He’s got us. He created us. He provides for us. So why should we worry?

“So why would I fear the future? For your goodness and love pursue me all the days of my life.” Psalm 23:6 TPT

Yup. I see you.

Instead, Jesus hands over his overflowing cup of grace and says:

“Come my child. Come to me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28-30 (rephrased)

He invites us to a spacious life of freedom and rest.

This doesn’t excuse us from living our lives. We still need to show up.

In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
James 1:17 NIV

But instead, we get to show up from a revelation of God’s grace, kindness and love. Having surrendered all outcomes to Him. Because:

“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.”
Proverbs 16:9 NIV

So this is simply a heartfelt reminder.

Give it to God. Whatever it is. Pray about it. Close your eyes. Loosen your fists. Go to the beach (hehe that’s what I did this weekend!) and have fun! It is not your business to know how it works out. That’s God’s business. Let Him do His thing. And you do your thing. Whatever that is! Smile. Hug. Listen to a friend. Laugh. Give thanks. Enjoy, for this life is fleeting and you get one opportunity to be here.

“Life is fleeting; it just slips through your fingers. All vanishes like mist.”
Ecclesiastes 12:8 (The Voice Translation)

And as always my friend, keep showing up.

With so much love and encouragement,
Mika :)