I have had the privilege of teaching Sunday School to first through sixth grade girls for almost nine years. Before I began teaching, I told my Pastor that I believed God wanted me to teach a Sunday School class because He would not leave me alone about it.
I remember feeling nervous and intimidated by these little girls sitting in front of me, even though I only had three students in my class that first Sunday morning. After teaching the lesson on salvation, one of the girls said, “Mrs. Harper, I need to get saved.” I opened up my Bible and showed her how to be saved. That little girl bowed her head and asked Jesus to come into her heart. I walked out of class after that first day excited! I felt handpicked by God to be in that class; I knew I was right where God wanted me. All I could think was, “Wow, God! You really are amazing!”
Nine years later, the class attendance is now up to fifteen girls! Many have “graduated” to the teen department who I have been able to see get saved and even surrender to God’s will for their lives. It is a joy to watch them continue to grow and to serve the Lord. It is important to remember how we started, and how far God has brought us in our class.
On most school mornings, I try to keep the same routine, so nothing gets forgotten. All three of my children take piano lessons, all on different days. My older two children also take instrument lessons, one trumpet and one violin. At least one of them always needs their piano books or instruments for that day. It is not always easy to remember, “What day of the week is it?” and “Who needs what today?” Sometimes, we forget books or instruments, or remember halfway to school, and have to turn around to go back home to get what we forgot.
I recall one morning when one of my children forgot their lunchbox. When the school called, I looked everywhere in the house for that lunchbox. Finally, I looked in the car. There it was, in the backseat on the floor.
We have all been there: something gets forgotten because we get too busy to slow down and pay attention. In our Christian lives, there are important things we must remember in order to stay close to God and to continue growing in our Christian lives.
First, I believe we should remember our salvation. I was 23 years old before I was saved. I probably heard the Gospel several hundreds of times before I got it settled. I am so glad the Lord never gave up on me in my lost condition. Like the song says, “He reached way down for me,” we should never forget what Jesus did for us. Once lost in our sin, we now have victory and redemption through His blood that He shed on Calvary. We must remember our salvation.
Next, I believe we should remember our surrender. Shortly after I was saved, I surrendered my life to the Lord and to what He would have for me. I excitedly thought, “I do not know where the Lord will lead, but I know I want to do whatever He wants me to do.” Now, all these years later, I can say that I have never regretted surrendering to His will. We must remember our surrender.
We must remember our growth. Looking back, I can see where I started, and then I can see where I am today. I did not get here in my own power or strength but by God. He allowed me and helped me to grow. Growing is not always easy. It comes with trials and heartache, but those things are needed for growth. As long as we are doing His will and following His timing, He will grow us. One day, we can look back and say, “Wow! Look what God did!”
We must remember our answered prayers. There have been times in my life that I did not know how I was going to get through the day, and the Lord has always come through for me. Often, we find ourselves praying for something specific, but it feels as though we will not make it through the day. Remember that He hears our prayers, even those we prayed in the past, and He will answer them. He did it before, and He can do it again!
When we remember, we refresh our hearts in our purpose for Him and in doing the works that we have been called by God to do. We also are able to see in those still growing a bit of what we once were, and our hearts are filled with compassion toward those to whom God has called us to minister. May we look back at what Jesus has done for us, and continue on for the cause of Christ. Remember!
by Mandy Harper
