Remember Where You Came From

I remember when I was growing up that there was a caution often repeated to those who left home to go to college or to a job that would take them to a place far away from where they grew up: “Remember where you came from!” It was a reminder to the young adult going out to experience and to learn how to navigate the world in pursuit of success. Many of those who had gone out into the world had firsthand experience that one’s character and person could be greatly affected by this new discovery of life. They knew that the core upbringing which was taught would endure the challenge and shape the young adult so that they would not lose themselves in the pursuit of success. If they returned back home with a taste of arrogance in their new found success, the people in that family or community would repeat, “Remember where you came from.” It would serve as a reminder to the young adult to check their pride and reclaim the principles of character by which they had been raised. There are times, especially in our youth, in which we can lose sight of the important matters of character we received in our upbringing. For many, the character they developed from their youth kept them from losing perspective and a way of life that is honorable was preserved. For others, the loss of principles that may have protected and kept them from the storms of life resulted in severe consequences. They had forgotten not only where they came from, but who they were as a person of good character.

All is not lost in the parent-child relationship, even when a young adult loses his or her way. A good parent is there to remind them and help them to return to the basics, so that the path may be clear and the potential for regaining character may be pursued. For those who belong to God, our Father is there. He reminds us of who He is and whose we are. He reminds us of the character that ought to govern our lives. We should reflect Him in the world. Our Father is an awesome parent. 

In Isaiah 1:2-3, the Lord reminds His people about where they came from.  He comes to them and reminds them of how He raised and parented them for blessing and success. The Lord pointed to the source of their problem. They fought against the One who loved them and they caused themselves pain by forgetting where they had come from.  Beloved, at all times, “Remember where you came from!” The Lord is always there. Turn to the Father.  He loves you no matter where you are.

Don’t Draw Your Confidence from the World around You

This phenomena does not escape people when it comes to Jesus Christ himself. In John’s Gospel, we see that the initial ministry of Jesus is fraught with awe and draws attention and acclaim from people in every place. Those who witnessed His extraordinary presence and activity began to have designs of their own about how He should implement a strategy of success for their own benefit and goals. His growing popularity was also an offense to the ones whom he replaced at the top, as their ratings and polling positions dropped significantly.

But, at the apex of attention at one of Jesus’ rallies (John 6), we begin to see the precipitous fall in his popularity as Jesus moved to highlight His words as far more important than fulfilling the appetites of men. In John 7:1-13, we see that not only has Jesus lost the crowds, found his polemic with Jewish teachers, and been dismissed by His disciples (except the Twelve), but that his own brothers are suspicious of him. Jesus remained in the will of His Father to do ministry.

Our desire to serve - and do - the will of God in our lives must embrace the path of Jesus. This includes not setting our sights on a numerical growth curve to measure our faithfulness. Otherwise, Jesus himself would have to be considered a failure in real-time ministry. Let us embrace the reality that we live in a world that is preconditioned toward the things that are in opposition to God. 

Always maintain a newness about how you have been called to serve the Lord. In this way, your joy will be complete, knowing that you are doing what the will of the Lord is. Do not be moved by the social ingenuity that moves ministries to adopt human activities that will never produce what only the Spirit of God alone can accomplish. What He makes new never grows old or out-of-date. It perseveres, endures, and will stand until the day of eternity.