By Angela Niederer
Standing Stones
Recently, I have been mulling over the thought of remembering all that God has done for me. I haven’t formed the habit of journaling, and usually feel the monkeys in my brain start jumping around and taking my thoughts for a ride when I sit to write. (Sigh.) But I sense God is calling me to actually write down each circumstance I know He has helped me get through. I can’t imagine doing life without Him. He is my true ride or die (in the most reverent way).
“Remember” is a command throughout the Bible, but how well do I remember? James 1:24 says, “You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like.” When facing a new trial, why is it that I repeatedly forget the things God has done for me, where He has shown up, what He has accomplished through me, where He has carried me, how He has grown me, and where He has made good from what I perceived as bad?
Remembering what God has already done for me forms the foundation of my faith. It helps me face the future with hope and confidence that He will do it again.
Deuteronomy 4:9-10 says, “Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them. Remember the day you stood before the LORD your God at Horeb, when He said to me, ‘Assemble the people before me to hear my words so that they may learn to revere me as long as they live in the land and may teach them to their children.’”
God commanded the Israelites several times to erect standing stones as a memorial so that when others saw it, they would ask, “What happened here?” Stories of God’s faithfulness would be remembered, shared, and passed down through generations.
Remembering what God has done is not only for my own benefit, but for the benefit of others. When I share my experiences with those around me, it helps them see God through me: how He has loved and cared for me, and how He can love and care for them, too. Your faith can strengthen their faith just by them hearing your personal testimonies of His faithfulness in your life.
Where has God been faithful to you? What things can you now see as “only God” moments? Would you join me in journaling your standing stones? As we remember all that God has done, may our own faith be strengthened and buoyed, and may we have opportunities to share God's glory with others to bring them with us and experience the faithfulness that we have.