Lesson 26: Remember God
I know it's been a very long time since I've written, but I feel really compelled to write this. I'm writing this almost as a letter to myself and one of my good friends who probably doesn't even know it's for her. This year I decided to commit to reading the Bible in one year. It seems like a cheesy New Years resolution, but for me it's very serious. I started off very bad. Like, nine days behind bad. I didn't feel 'motivated' to read my Bible and keep my promise to myself. It took talking to my boyfriend on Skype to really wake me up. We decided to do this together and I got a slap in the face from God for not taking this seriously (He used Ryan's words to slap me). This isn't about me. It's about my relationship with God and keeping it strong. God constantly told the Israelites, "Don't forget me and what I have done for you." And what do they do? They forget! Every. Single. Time.
I often find myself in their same situation, just as I know a lot of you do. God shows up in spectacular ways, we praise Him for it (sometimes), and we forget. When times are going good and bad I often find myself forgetting God. When things are good, it's like an out of sight out of mind thing. When things are going bad, I'm scared to remember Him. I'm scared that if I remember Him, I'm going to feel guilty for forgetting Him in the first place. I seem to recall a friend indirectly telling me that she was scared to go back to God because she was afraid of falling again. It took me really up until recently how this person could feel this way, but I understand now. Sometimes I'd rather stay in a rut than admit that I need help, especially to God who probably 'has better things to do and bigger issues to deal with'. But the truth is this: we need God. God cares for us more than we know and we shouldn't be ashamed to go back to Him when we do remember.
This is my plea to my friend(s) and to myself: Do not forget God. Don't neglect Him, because He has never neglected you. I know you've fallen away, but it's never to late to come back. You may think you don't need to. Sure, you've gotten by. But, what has it gotten you? Desires you can't fulfill and a whole in your heart that can't be satisfied. I will stop here before this turns into a rant... (this was originally much longer).
Anyways, my point being is that we need God. When it comes down to it, we need Him. Don't be like the Israelites and forget God. The best way to remember Him, is to read His love letter to us. I challenge you, read your Bible, everyday for one month. Even if that means just one Bible verse a day. I guarantee that God will speak to you. Whether you're open to what He has to say, well, that's up to you. Even if you've given up on God, know that God has never given up on you.
Remember God and all He has done.
With Lots of Love,
~Alyssa
P.S: Read Luke 15:11-32
