With just one tap of a finger everything can be wiped out from the memory of our phone. And even if some of today’s technology can restore the data we have deleted, realizing that everything has been deleted can still make our heart skip a beat.
Makes us want to think what if we can’t restore it, we have not backed up, and all that we have in what’s stored in there are those we have kept in our minds? If we cannot remember anything then the photos, videos, and messages sent to us have vanished in a snap of a finger.
“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:18-19
And so what do you keep in your heart and mind that can remind you of the things that have happened to you?
Scripture reminds us that there are things that we ought to keep in our hearts and mind at all times:
1. We are to keep in mind God’s commands and teaching. Moses encouraged Joshua, his protege, to keep God’s commands in his heart and mind at all times so that He could bring the Israelites to the Promised Land, and move forward. “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” Joshua 1:8
2. Our Hope in Christ. We should always have a living hope because the same power that resurrected Jesus, will allow us to live new lives in spite of our past failures and mistakes. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Colossians 3:16
3. God’s miracles and past deliverance in our lives. As what Moses told the Israelites: “Only be on your guard and diligently watch yourselves, so that you don’t forget the things your eyes have seen and so that they don’t slip from your mind as long as you live. Teach them to your children and your grandchildren.” Deuteronomy 4:9
4. Storing heavenly riches and our final destination in heaven. St. Paul the Apostle reminds us that “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Colossians 3:23-24
5. The things that are true, pure, and excellent. The writer of more than half of the New Testament, St. Paul the Apostle reminds us that we should focus on the good things. “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4:8
When we keep these things in our hearts and minds, no accidental data deletion can shake us to the core. When we know who and what really matters in our lives, we will know that we did not lose anything because everything significant has been kept in our hearts.
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” Isaiah 26:3
And so, as we intentionally live a life of worship, we must also savor God-given moments of abundance. Instead of taking pictures and videos that can be deleted in time, or worse, we will never look back on, let us enjoy the moment.
Let us witness God’s blessing unfolding before us, using the eyes He gave us. This way, the memory will be etched in our hearts and minds. A place where memories can never be deleted or destroyed intentionally.
“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12
Let us watch our children walk for the first time, march on to accept their diploma, dance in school programs, win sports competitions and enjoy precious moments with us. Yes pictures help us relive the moment, but would it not be beautiful to live in that moment when it happens, and relive it the way we truly remember it?
God has always wanted us to live fruitful and abundant lives. One that makes our heart full. A life that retains lessons about hardship, seizes precious moments with people who matter, and lived in worship towards the only One who creates all things – the King of all kings.
“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11
My daughter once asked me if people really re-watch the video of fireworks they take every New Year. And so I asked myself when was the last time I did. From then on, I never took videos of fireworks, instead I just held my loved ones closer to me and enjoyed watching it with them.
Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on Colossians 3:2-5 and Psalm 119:9-6 to dig deeper on today’s topic.
Reflection Question: What do you hold in your heart and mind? If the storage of your photos and memories will accidentally get deleted, what memories can you retrieve from your heart and mind?
Conversation with the Lord: Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for encouraging us to put our minds and hearts on the things that truly matter. Give us the grace to continue seeking you, and keeping your word and our hope in you with us always. Amen.
