Not Forgotten

Have you ever had an experience when you have totally forgotten someone who you should know? I was at Summer Madness last weekend, talking to a (male) friend before going to see SixStarHotel play -if you haven’t heard of them do a search for them, they rock!. Another (female) friend of his came over and he introduced me, the conversation continued when suddenly she realized we had met before, and said something along the lines of “Hang on, we’ve met before,” to which I responded with a completely blank face, not able to think where we had met, and feeling sure I would have remembered her had that been the case (she had quite distinctive ginger hair). Eventually she decided we had met at Exodus (a Christian Saturday night alternate venue with live music in Lisburn). I still didn’t (and even now still don’t) remember this encounter taking place, which was obviously slightly embarrassing at the time.
It wasn’t the first time that’s happened to me (there was a particularly awkward occasion when I was introduced to a friend from church’s ex at Exodus and didn’t remember that she had been at our YF a couple of time. Like, what do you say to the person that the only thing you know about them is they were dumped by someone you know AND they remember you when you have forgotten them…?). And it probably won’t be the last time given my appalling memory for faces.
But here’s the thing: while we as humans forget people and things all the time, God never forgets about us. No matter how long it has been since we last talked to God, He will never say “Sorry, who are you again?” when we turn to Him in prayer. No matter what it feels like right now, God has not forgotten you. He knows you, He loves you and He still cares for you.
Remember that today.
In Luke 12 Jesus tells us “What is the price of five sparrows—two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.”(Luke 12:6-7).
Remember that while God doesn’t forget us, sometimes His timings are different to ours. We may crave for instant answers or resolution, whereas God wants us to wait for whatever reason. And while it may seem during this time that He has forgotten you, the Bible is full of assurances that that isn’t the case. For example, Deuteronomy 31:8 promises “Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”
Also, in Philippians 1:6 Paul says “I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” If God has started work in your life (which if you have accepted Jesus as your saviour you can be sure He has) He will complete it. Maybe not as fast as you like, maybe not in the way you were expecting, but it will be finished – you will not be forgotten by God. Take comfort in that today in whatever circumstances you are going through, and if God seems distant to you right now, remember there is coming a day when you will see Him face but face, but til then you just need to hang on in the knowledge that He hasn’t forgotten you.
And Lauren, if you’re reading this, sorry, I’ll try and remember you the next time we meet!