Memories

​There is a phrase that I am becoming weary of hearing among Christians.  Three short words that convey a very sad truth—“I used to . . .” 

Not long ago I had breakfast with a man who has little time today to serve God.  The gist of most of our conversation centered on his past.  He wistfully recalled his days in college when he was radically on fire for God.  He laced memories with events.  In vain I tried to steer the conversation to the present—to ask the question, “Yes, but what is God doing in your life now!  What is He calling you to be and do?”  But there was no firm path to follow.  His way had become overgrown with the clinging vines of “I used to . . .”  
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Do you find that when you talk about your relationship with God it is the past that comes to mind?  Is your value in Christ measured by what you once did?  Perhaps I am asking in a kind way, “are you living on spiritual vapors?”  We readily would admit we should forget those bad things in our past that only weigh us down. But sometimes we are weighed down by what was good!  We let what we did excuse us for what we do not.  Don’t let this happen!  You and I serve a dynamic incredible Father.  Do not let the want ads of this world catch your eyes and steal your zeal to serve Him. Press on toward the goal of becoming Christ-like!  
 
Meditation
Philippians 3:12-14--Not that I have already reached the goal or am already fully mature, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus. Brothers, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus.
 
Inspiration
Never live on memories.  Do not remember in your testimony what you once were; let the Word of God be always living and active in you, and give the best you have every time and all the time.—Oswald Chambers in Grow Up Into Him
 
©1997 Daniel York  ARR.  Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box. Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)