“I know I know you, but I’ve forgotten who you are!”

I wonder if that’s an experience you’ve had? It happens to me all the time! I meet people in one situation, but can’t place them in another. We’re introduced at a wedding, but I don’t recognise them in the supermarket – how embarrassing for all concerned!  They reckon I don’t think much of them and I’m frustrated because the name won’t come. Worst of all, I ask myself, is it because I can’t be bothered to remember?

I wonder if it’s like that with life in general?  We recognise the love that comes from other people, we see the beauty of nature, sometimes we even notice it’s ‘a wonderful world’! But at the same time we’re unable to name the place where it all comes from. On the other side we recognise exploitation and greed; we know corruption and lies when we see them. We’re aware of people starving in refugee camps; folks fleeing from persecution or poverty; children sold into slavery and prostitution – but we can’t name the cause.

Is it because we’ve met them in one context, but don’t know them in another?  We read of the God who is love, but don’t recognise God when love comes to us through other people.  We enjoy the new life of Spring, but don’t acknowledge the Creator. We see corruption in human lives, but we can’t name the source as evil desires, wickedness and sin.

I’m not a good man. But I pray that I’ll always remember the source of goodness and recognise my part in the darkness. And even if I choose to forget, may God, in his mercy, never forget me, so that through the name of Jesus, I shall be saved.