Recorded for the Future
By Shauna Leis
“What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the LORD our God is near us whenever we pray to him? And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today? Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them. Remember the day you stood before the LORD your God at Horeb, when he said to me, ‘Assemble the people before me to hear my words so that they may learn to revere me as long as they live in the land and may teach them to their children.’”
Deuteronomy 4:7-10
We had been practicing for weeks to ensure our “performance” was flawless, and we were expressing all that upper management expected the customers to hear and understand. Our company brought in many customers to attend the Ryder Cup a couple of weeks ago. However, before the customers could go over to the golf play, they had to attend a series of executive briefings and see demos on all of our technology to hopefully convince the customers to continue doing business with us or even start doing business with us. These were some very important customers, and so those of us in charge of the demos had to make sure that our various performances were at a high enough level to keep their interest but also inform them of information they might not heard before the briefing.
By the end of all of the practices and nine customer sessions, we had our lines completely memorized and even had some of the other people’s demos memorized, as well. Then came the new news at the end of the last session. We now had to videotape our demo performances. Oh, the agony that rippled through the room. No one wanted to continue, but upper management felt strongly that others not living in the area (especially overseas) should have the benefit of at least being able to see the demos and products on tape if they could not attend in person.
So, we were all scheduled to attend various taping sessions to record for all posterity’s sake demos of our respective areas. While I was thinking about this entire ordeal and groaning inside at the mere thought of it, God reminded me of the following Scriptures. 1 Corinthians 10:11-12 says, “These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!”
God began to whisper into me, “What are you doing to record for all posterity’s sake what I am doing for you?” Oh wow! We were so caught up in practicing and getting these demos perfect that I was totally convicted about how much I “practice” for God. I take for granted that what I am doing for Him just happens, instead of ensuring that I “practice” each and every day by reading His Word, talking to Him, listening for His voice, and being sure to tell everyone I encounter about His effect on my life. I also need to learn from each of the previous day’s mistakes and ensure I do not make those same mistakes again.
Most importantly, though, is, what are we doing to ensure those coming after us know about God and His love? What kind of records are we keeping for the future generations concerning God’s faithfulness to us? When the Israelites crossed over the Jordan River into Canaan, after years spent wondering around in the wilderness, God did not want them to ever forget all that He had done for them, how He had been faithful to them for generations. So God had the Israelites build an altar just on the other side of the river. Once the altar was built, Joshua said to the people, “In the future when your descendants ask their fathers, ‘What do these stones mean?’ tell them, ‘Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’”
Dear one, what are you doing to remind those around you what God has done in your life? I am a very big journal keeper, and I love to write stories about what God has shown me or how He has been faithful to us. Other entries are just funny stories that I want to remember about our family and friends. Yet, others are prayer requests that I can go back to later and look at all the answers I have received throughout the years. But, more than anything, I ensure that everyday my children know for certain who God is, how much He loves them, and remember what He has done for them.
Grace, my youngest, and I go through the same routine each night while saying our prayers. I ask Grace, “How much does God love you?” and she eagerly responds, “That much!” Then I ask her, “Grace, how much do you love God?” to which she eagerly responds the same way. In her precious 3 year-old mind, “that” is a very big thing and beyond comprehension. God was so concerned about us comprehending Him that He had hundreds of people writing and telling of Him and His Son. What will your stories say in the future?
Pray with me: DearGod, You indeed have been faithful to us each and every day of our lives. Through good times and bad, we can see Your fingerprints touching every aspect. How awesome You are that You recorded for us all Your Words into the Bible that we could read and study everyday. Lord, we want to start practicing our faith in You so that one day it will be perfected. Give us guidance to know Your Words and endurance to follow them even when the road ahead of us gets rocky and filled with turns.
Lord, more than anything else, help us to learn how to record our story so that others will know the impact that You have had on our lives. Whatever form it takes, verbal stories, stories written, or even those captured on video, may everything that is recorded about us point to You being our God and Jesus being our Savior. God, we love You so very much and pray all of this in the precious name of Your Son, Jesus Christ! Amen!