The Greatest Threat – Spiritual Amnesia
(From The Sacred Romance)
“If we choose the way of desire (following God), our greatest enemy on the road ahead is not the Arrows (past disappointments and hurts that bring us down) nor Satan, nor our false lovers (the things we try to fill our lives with in lieu of turning completely to God to satisfy our needs). The most crippling thing that besets the pilgrim heart is simply forgetfulness, or more accurately, failure to remember.
You will forget; this isn’t the first book you have read in search of God. What do you remember from the others? If God has been gracious to you through our words, it will have been the first time He has touched you. What have you done with all the other times? I have had enough encounters with God to provide a lifetime of conviction – why don’t I live more faithfully? Because I forget.
I am humbled by the story of the golden calf. These people, the Jews God had just delivered from Egypt, have seen an eyeful. First came the plagues; then the Passover; then the escape from Pharaoh’s armies and the last minute rescue straight through the Red Sea. After that came the manna: breakfast in bed so to speak, every morning for months. They drank water from a rock. They heard and saw the fireworks at Mt. Sanai and shook in their sandals at the presence of God. I think it is safe to say that this band of ransomed slaves had reasons to believe. Then their leader, Moses, disappears for forty days into the consuming fire that enveloped
the top of the mountain, which they could see with their own eyes. While he is up there, they blow the whole thing off for a wild bacchanalian party in honor of an idol made from their earrings. My first reaction is arrogant: How could they possibly be so stupid? How could they forget everything they’ve received straight from the hand of God? My second reaction is a bit more honest: That’s me; I could do that; I forget all the time.
Spiritual amnesia is so likely that from Genesis to Revelation, the Scriptures are full of the call to remember. “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” (Deut 4:9)
There is more, of course, but I just wanted to share that thought with you guys this morning. I hope you all have a great day, and that you will see and remember God’s blessings and provisions for you life today.
In Him,
Jonny D
April 11, 2001
