Just Remember

DEVOTION
2 TIMOTHY
JUST REMEMBER
2 Tim 1:3-5
3 I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 4 Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy.
NIV
It is evident Paul was indicating that as a believer, what was to be called a Christian, that he served the same God as all the Jews of the past. That Jehovah, JHHW, the God of the Jews is the same God of the Christians. I am thankful I have the same God and not some man-made form of another god. I am so thankful I have the opportunity to serve my God as well. As far as having a clear conscience it comes down to knowing Christ set me free, and is my intercessor before the Father. I do have to wonder about remembering all the people I have ever had contact with and then remembering them in my prayers. I am not sure I even remember all of them, although at times certain individuals pop up in my mind. But I think that if I were to pray for all those people of the past I would never be able to raise from my knees, at least in the common concept of prayer. I do think as certain people come to mind I can simply say to my Lord, “Bless them” and I have done what I should do. I am not sure I constantly remember anybody. Am I always thinking about me than? No, not the case, but I do think about all sorts of things, but I do think about my life, my calling, how I am going to fulfill all that God wants of me, and trying to be an example of Christ to those I do come in contact with. Yet, I do have thoughts about other people, and what their life is doing and where are they in their journey with God. I am not sure I remember to ask my Lord to bless them when I recall them. I think I need to keep that in the forethought or at least close to the forethought of my mind, saying that “bless them” prayer. I do not long to see them, however. I have to wonder what kind of Christian am I if I do not long to see them. It would be nice if I did get to see some of those people of the past, and then I would not have that much to say. I am not much of a conversationalist one-on- one. Sure I can get up and preach or teach in front of many, but one-on-one I stink. Maybe that is because I simply am unable to carry on a conversation of small talk. I doubt if Paul ever engaged in small talk. I bet he was always talking about Jesus Christ, always sharing the good news, always engaging others on a much deeper level than chit chat about someone else’s whatever, or the weather, or I don’t even know what small talk consists of. I simply do not have the mind or personality for chit chat. Sure, I talk about what I am doing, and listen to what others say they are doing, I suppose that is a form of small talk. But it seems so small. I think when I am with others I should focus on deeper points of life. I am not sure I get filled with joy when I am with those people of the past, or for that matter those people of my present. Maybe that is because of so much small talk and not enough real conversation about real issues of their life, their spiritual journey, their struggles and victories and what God is doing for them, in them, and through them. Maybe it is also because none of them are really interested in my life either. Not ever concerned about my struggles and victories, and what God is doing for me, in me and through me. That is sad, life is so much richer, so much more fulfilling, of far greater value than to waste it on small talk, gossip, and self absorption. I think I should just remember.