Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things. – 2 Peter 1:12-15
I have a friend whose habit it is to append a disclaimer of mutual agreement to assertions he knows we have shared understanding in. Such statements are often made in clarification as contributing to the subject we are discussing, and he wants to be sure I do not take it as rebuke or doubt of my knowledge. Our relationship is such that I would not normally presume such a thing of him, though I can appreciate his conscientiousness in this regard; in reflecting upon this, however, it occurred to me that I am not as consistent in this manner as I ought to be. In times when my father, for example, has reiterated something to me that he’s previously expressed, I find I’m not as quick to exercise patience or humility towards him. Furthermore, I tend to anticipate a lack of tolerance in others towards me should they infer an insult to memory or intelligence, and I may adjust my remarks accordingly. By the above passage, however, I perceive a need to reorient my perspective in this.
I know I am capable of forgetting things, even when I acknowledge their importance; it behooves me to employ various methods for committing such things to memory. Repetition is one way by which this may be accomplished; reviewing information renews it in the mind, and doing this consistently over time (or constantly in a brief interval, as many college students can attest) can keep it fresh in recollection. Varying mediums of intake is another strategy for ensuring dynamic comprehension, thereby combating mental stagnation and fatigue. Success can also be had with mental association, as intentionally contriving connections between new conceptualizations and established thoughts, or tying a lesson to the experience in which it was learned. Granted this last method must be exercised with caution, lest it develop confusion by poorly conceived associations.
More impactful than the techniques themselves, however, is the empowerment thereof in the Holy Spirit. Indeed, we are recommended in Scripture to be reliant upon Him for remedy of this very need: “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” (John 14:26) Though certainly within His power to inspire impromptu recollection according to His will, it often seems He chooses to work through our efforts instead; we are thus blessed to be involved in His chosen process, that we may glorify God and testify to His wisdom. Nowhere more apparent ought this to be than within the Church, our fellowship of edification! For what can serve us better than to be held accountable to the Word of God, to be referred thereto by each other in love and encouragement? Therefore I pray that I may be more humble toward those who God appoints to remind me of such truths as I may neglect, and that others too may open to receive such reminders as He may utilize me for.
Remember the Truth! TTT
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