As one year ends and another begins, most of us are focused on the newness January brings. New Bible reading plans. New diets. New exercise routines. New organization hacks or house projects. We fill our calendars with new appointments and schedules all in an effort to be more efficient in the year to come. We look forward to a clean slate. A fresh start. A hope for what is ahead.
While all of those things are well-intentioned, and sometimes necessary, I think it would be wise to consider a different approach. One that would bring more gratitude and less greed; more hope and less fear. What if instead of following the rhythms and pace of this world, we began a new year by first looking back instead of looking forward? What would change if we practiced remembrance in preparation for a new year?
One thorough look through that new Bible reading plan you have ready for 2025 will reveal numerous occasions where the people of Scripture were not just encouraged to remember, but commanded. And for good reason. God knew that they, and we, are a people prone to forgetfulness, arbitrarily remembering his work in their lives, if at all. Oftentimes, the act of remembering was commissioned with a physical activity or an actual monument that would force them to pause and consider the Lord.
In the book of Joshua, we see the Israelites finally cross over the Jordan river and into the land they longed for (Joshua 4). God commands Joshua to choose twelve men, have them each collect a stone from the middle of the Jordan, and carry it to build a memorial on the banks as a visual reminder of what God had done. Each time they passed that spot, or went down to fish, they would see the stones they were able to carry out because the Lord had carried them across. Not only was this to serve as a memorial for those who experienced the moment, but also for generations to come, filling the future descendants with knowledge of how God had already proven himself faithful.
The writer of Psalm 77, after experiencing an all too familiar night of anguish over God’s presence in his life, finds hope by remembering. Lost in his emotional descent that depression brings, he cries out,
“And I said, ‘This is my fate; the Most High has turned his hand against me.’ But then I recall all you have done, O LORD; I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago. They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works.”
Psalm 77:10 NLT
What pulled him back to the surface was not the encouraging words of a friend or the right worship song, but the choice to remember. This “remembering” was not a passing moment or a fleeting thought. Rather, it was an active decision to turn his mind and sorrow away from his present condition and onto the faithfulness of God.
We even see Jesus tell his disciples to remember him each time they would participate in communion after the last supper (Luke 22). 2,000 years later, we still have a physical reminder as we take the bread and wine that harkens us back to our hope for now and eternity. It calls us to pause, meditate, repent, and leave that moment with gratitude and awe for the work that was completed at the cross on our behalf.
But remembering can be hard. If you are anything like me, you have found yourself at the point in life where keys and glasses go missing that were just set down. Ovens get left on when the school pick up line calls your name. Coffee is reheated a meager ten times a morning, not only because of distraction, but forgetfulness. Add to that a myriad of personal obligations, and the ability to remember lessens. So, what are we to do if we desire to enter the new year not only prepared to remember but able to recall all his excellent deeds from the year prior?
Write it on your heart (and a piece of paper).
Proverbs 3:3-6 tells us to write truth and mercy on our hearts, to bind them around our neck, leading to understanding. This may have you picturing an oversized charm necklace, each charm carrying a tiny scroll of verses. Not a terrible idea, but a bit cumbersome. I think the point Solomon makes is worthy of implementing in our daily time with the Lord. Each night, or morning, or as often as you can, have a notebook at the ready, designated only for remembering. Write down where you saw God that day, where his presence was the most tangible or felt the most distant. Write verses down that speak life into the situation. Ask God to reveal himself in ways that you will be able to see. Pray that he shows up specifically in certain areas of your life, and then be prepared to notice and remember.
Rehearse and Recall
Not only is writing it down a necessity if you want to remember, but practicing the act of recall is also important. This is true for remembering God’s word and his actions. The psalmist we read of earlier practiced his recall by meditating on specific acts of the Lord. Some of those things may have been stories passed down from generations before him. Other memories may have been personal experiences he had with the Lord. Any activity of God we can cling to that reveals the truth of his goodness is worthy of our meditation. It bids us to accept his faithfulness and trust that his plans are good, even when the path is confusing.
Looking back over an entire year with the Lord may stir up memories that are less than ideal, things we would rather forget. But the failures, missteps, and grief can all point to his goodness as well. I have recently experienced one of the hardest years in my life. A year that could have absolutely broken me if not for my knowledge of who God is based on who he has proven himself to be. As I look back over this past year, I see the hand of God more obvious than in any other year prior. The beautiful thing is I can now look at other difficult parts of my life and see where God was active that I did not recognize before. Because I have remembered, I am better equipped for all the unknowns the new year brings.
So, as you prepare all your new schedules and routines, take time to reminisce with God. Take a moment to look behind before you look ahead. Prayerfully enter the new year with gratitude for who he has been and who he will continue to be regardless of what the world may throw at you. He who promised is faithful. Remember that.
Photo Credit: Ashley Kate Miller
Meghan lives in Cincinnati with her husband of 15 years and their four boys. She loves the Word of God and has a fierce desire to help other women grow in their understanding of Scripture. Meghan serves in her local church as women’s ministry director. She enjoys adventures with her family, late night writing sessions, and a full pot of coffee.
