A Word of Encouragement

Have you ever pondered on the importance of remembering? You’ve been doing a lot of remembering lately with exams. And perhaps the glow of doing the remembering dims a bit when it is being tested and marked! Nevertheless, remembering is such an important part of our culture and identity.  Perhaps we don’t often think on it but remembering shapes us as a people. What we choose to remember teaches us about what we value, what we strive towards and what we honour. And we all have an important part to play in remembering, for important stories and history is only ever one generation away from being lost unless we each learn from those who have come before us and pass on those lessons and memories to those who will come after us. 

This week we have stopped to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect us and our way of life. In stopping on Remembrance Day to reflect on this sacrifice we rightly honour those who gave their lives and we remember the cost of the freedom we enjoy. Their sacrifice inspires in us gratitude for our hard-won freedom, and it teaches us about the importance of sacrifice for the good of others. Choosing to remember their sacrifice on Remembrance Day encourages us in the values of service and self-sacrifice in our lives in little and big ways.

Remembering is a key part of the Christian story too. For example, at Christmas we remember how God came into this world that he loves. When we read the Bible we remember the things he taught and did. On Good Friday, we remember his ultimate sacrifice for our forgiveness. And on Easter Day as we eat our chocolate eggs, we remember that Jesus’ grave is empty like those eggs and that new, eternal life begins with him. Remembering is so important as it teaches us, encourages us, directs us, and shapes us as God’s people.

So, here’s my encouragement for you today: have you taken the time to know and remember the stories of those who have inspired and encouraged you? There’s bound to be many people in your lives worth remembering! Have you heard their stories? Have you asked them your questions, learning from them and being shaped by their wisdom? Choose carefully – these stories will become your memories, and as such will influence and shape you. But what a great summer project that would be, building important memories as we enjoy seeing each other in person again!

Rev Karen Reid

Girton Chaplain