~ by Mr. Kwesi Oteng-Yeboah
And so, I will always remind you of these matters, even though you already know them and are firmly grounded in the truth you have received. I think it only right for me to stir up your memory of these matters as long as I am alive
2 Peter 1:12-13 GNT
Remember how the Lord your God led you on this long journey through the desert these past 40 years, sending you hardships to test you, so that he might know what you intended to so and whether you would obey his command.
Deuteronomy 8:2 GNT
Remembrance is a powerful thing: A old lady sitting alone can be filled with smiles and joy, brimming with life just at the remembrance of past incidents in her life that she is proud of. In the same way, friends can gather and recount old stories and incidents that happened in their High School days, releasing so much laughter and joy, just by reflecting or remembering past episodes in their lives.
Just as remembering the good old days can bring about such joy within a lonely old lady and among friends, remembering bad and sad incidents will also affect our present disposition.
It is obvious that what we decide to remember (or bring to remembrance) has the power to affect our present state: We could even argue that Remembrance sets us on a course for action.
Interestingly, Human beings are very prone to forget and not remember what we need to remember, but rather become fixated on that which we must forget. I believe it is for this reason that the Bible has several verses calling us to remembrance (About 300 verses in all). In these verses we see the call being made by God and His servants to believers and the children of Israel. This is because remembering our roles and responsibilities causes us to act and function well in those roles. People who forget are seen as unfaithful, untrustworthy and wicked… When the Bible says; “Remember the Lord thy God while you are young…” It is instructing us not to forget God and thus not respond or act in obedience to Him while we are still young. It also means to become active in the Lord’s service while we are young. Remembrance will always lead to action.
An organization will begin to drift from its mission once the leaders fail to consistently remember the reason for their existence, deliberately or otherwise. We do ourselves a great disservice when we remember not!!! Consequently, as leaders, we put our followers on a course to great harm when we do not employ a system and culture of remembrance in our organizations. One way an organization remembers is by honouring those who have served well, another is by celebrating anniversaries and milestones. And another is to keep the vision and mission constantly on the minds of stakeholders and members.
Remembrance will always require effort from us because it is not our natural tendency… It is much convenient to forget most times. However, every effort we put into remembrance releases an overwhelming sense of fulfilment and accomplishment (especially when we remember the right things), which can only be experienced and not described. May we be active and not passive, remembering and not forgetting.