What’s-His-Name?!
June 27
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.
Luke 19:10
Seth and Rachel were enjoying the day at the County Fair. They had talked to many old friends and acquaintances. This last encounter, however, left them scouring their memories. As they walked away from the semi-awkward conversation, Rachel voiced her embarrassment, “Okay, what is her name?!”
Seth was helpless to assist. He couldn’t remember the woman’s name either! “You know, Rach, we haven’t seen her in over a year and a half. All I remember was that she used to attend Bible study and Sunday Services not long before we moved. Past that, I can’t remember anything about her.”
“I guess we tend to forget names after not seeing someone for awhile; Out of sight, out of mind,” Rachel said in mock defense, frustrated with her inability to dredge the woman’s name from her memory.
“Not always.” Seth countered. “We’ve seen a lot of people today that we haven’t seen in years, and we didn’t have any trouble remembering their names. We just didn’t know her as well.”
Feeling a bit remised, Rachel said, “You’re right. I guess we should have made more of an effort to get to know her.”
†
Developing relationships requires ongoing commitment. To expect to know and remember every nuance and character trait of a passing acquaintance is unrealistic. Only through prolonged exposure to persons do we learn the deep, intimate things that make them who they are. And, if for some reason the relationship is broken, we immediately begin to lose bits and pieces of them; like losing the well-defined memory of a loved-one after they’ve died—their face is still there, but the sharpness of their image has blurred.
Our relationship with Jesus is the same. If we turn away from Him, His Image begins to blur….stay away long enough and we forget the most critical parts of His nature: Salvation; unconditional love; forgiveness; no condemnation; direction …the list is quite extensive. The longer we remain apart, the greater the chance of forgetting His Name…and why He came.
Prayer
“Lord Jesus, help me to always remain in close relationship with You. When I run, block my path. When I stray, draw me back. When I forget, send Your Holy Spirit to remind me. Amen”
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