“For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Col. 1:13-14).

Memories! They sometimes come flooding like torrents of a river, opening the door to our past to instruct our today. Some bring back ugly images that crush the spirit. Some bring along alluring images to tempt us back into the darkness of yesterday. Yet, other images seek to awaken our anger and resentment towards some people to seek revenge. But there are those sweet memories that come to refresh and to refocus us to keep striving for a better tomorrow. Such memories are warm and encouraging. They infuse strength and courage to live in the face of trying and painful circumstances.

I remember growing up in my native Ghana. Like every close-knit community, everybody knew everyone. We shared everything, including child discipline. Those were the days when we sang along as we went to the farm and sat under the oak tree to share a meal. In those days, crime was a foreign intruder. Children played in the moon-lit nights and sat around the night fire to listen to the Ashanti folklore called, Anansesem. Those were the good old days!

I also recall some people who made my life hell on earth. I particularly remember a friend of my father who shamelessly abused me at fourteen. My resentment surged into an oath to kill him anywhere I met him. Then there was this 8^th grade teacher who said I was as dull as the mudfish my mother sold. How cruel and wicked abusers are!

Vividly, my memory flashes back to some places where fear ruled in those days. Typical, were the ugly figures and carvings at the fetish shrines. They ruled the hearts and minds of the people. Nobody died a natural death in our community. Every death had an evil elderly person behind it. Sometimes, they were cruelly punished in shameful ways. What ignorance! But that’s the “the empty way of life handed down to [us] from [our] ancestors” from which Christ has redeemed us (1 Peter 1:18).

That is why I love my helmet of salvation (Eph. 6:17). It keeps my mind stable in Christ Jesus. It reminds me of His love displayed on Calvary (Rm. 5:8). I rejoice that by grace, I have been saved through faith in Him (Eph. 2:8-9). I cherish the memory of the day I walked down the aisle and received His gift of life; the day when my sins were washed away (1 Pt. 1:18-19). I celebrate the day of my salvation (Col.1:13-14) with songs of praise to my Savior who has displayed His glory in me (Isaiah 44:23). I am free from all hatred and bitterness for those two men who almost ruined my life. I have been liberated from the fear of those lifeless idols. I am at peace with God and myself (Rom. 5:1, 5), and I have my future set in my living Savior (Col. 1:27).

That is why I can live today and face tomorrow without any fear. I can live because “I know that my Redeemer lives, and in the end He will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see Him with my own eyes – I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!” (Job 19:25-27).

            What are you memories?