Remember Beginning

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.2 Peter 1:5-9 ESV

In the picture you see a table. It's a fine enough table. As I type this, I am sitting at an identical table about ten feet away and it is fulfilling it's role of holding my laptop and coffee a few feet off the ground. The chairs are nice too. I've been here a little while, and my posterior has also effectively been kept off the concrete.That other table is special though. While there is no difference in appearance, that table has a secret power that this table I sit at today can never attain. That table is a reminder. That table won't let me forget.At that table, just under two years ago I sat sharing the mission of Youth for Christ with a pastor. Out of nowhere he began to speak of a mentor who was serving with YFC...except he confused YFC with another organization. As we tried to figure out the confusion he mentioned the congregation this mentor had just retired from. He mentioned the search process for a new pastor.I couldn't hear a word after that for several moments. In that moment I knew beyond reason or explanation that I heard that for a reason. I'm now nearly a year and a half into the journey of being a senior pastor at that very special place. And the mentor he spoke of has become a soul-level friend to my family and I.Remembering has power. In moments when I need courage, inspiration, or refreshing this little Starbucks patio in Washougal simply has to exist in order to bring renewal. When I forget the call, when I lose the plot, everything can begin to flounder. Peter knows this. In asking his readers to add character to their faith, he points out what seems to be an unusual counter-point.He makes the assertion that if you are not growing, you are forgetting. If your faith is unproductive, your memory is losing it's touch.So I am thankful for this little table. Today I am remembering afresh why I do what I do. I remember who I serve, and what he has done to deserve every bit of my service. I remember why I love Jesus so desperately, and why my deepest desire is that others would grow in that same love.I hope you can remember today. You may not have a place to visit, but your table is there.By His Grace, For His Glory,Shaun