COLUMN: Grey Matters – Why recollecting is important

“The hard truth is that the most basic aspect of our humanity is not our determination, our talents, or whatever we accomplished during last year’s resolutions. We are united by our fragility. We all need shelter because we are soft and mushy and irritable in the elements—and we will need so much more than a bank loan because, sooner or later, we are left exposed.” – Kate Bowler

When I was executive director at Mennonite Heritage Village (MHV), I had two types of people asking me about leaving a legacy. “What is the best way to leave a legacy?,” asked the first camp, while others asked, “Should we even try to leave a legacy? Isn’t that prideful?”

If it is about our individual efforts and heroics, then I would agree that sounds prideful. Further, it is extremely rare that a person carves out a legacy that lasts beyond one or two generations (why even try so hard, for something so fleeting). However, if we build into a communal legacy, it becomes much more certain to last as it will then be carried by the group to the next generation. Finally, if the focus of the legacy is on how God has helped our family, clan and people in the recent past and over the centuries while acknowledging our human shortfalls it fulfills what we see written throughout the Scriptures (see below).

Done well, there are several benefits in recollecting and commemorating our past:

1. It brings glory to God.

2. It inspires our faith and it comforts us in our personal challenges. (We are not alone).

3. It honours our predecessors and elders.

4. It provides positive identity and social cohesion to our family and community.

5. In a world of chaos, it provides grounding, well-being and direction for the future.

6. It humbles us and keeps us from being ignorant and proud.

We need to be intentional about the important work of remembering, recollecting, pondering and passing on. When the Israelites did this well, it went well for their offspring. When they forgot, they quickly lost their way. As Christians not only do we have the amazing story of the Israelites, but we also have our own recent history to help us recollect and know God.

When I was at MHV, I found the secret the heritage volunteers held: learn as you go, dig into what attracts you and then make it yours so you can help others make it theirs. At MHV there are genealogists who are willing to sit down with you and track your personal family history and a shopkeeper who can recommend books just for you. We should all know what year we arrived, from where, and the context of our arrival (including truth and reconciliation). Google “50 questions to ask a living relative” and do it before it is too late.

The stories of the past remind us of our fragility, dependence, and how God helps us all.

As you recollect, ponder and commemorate you will be transformed by God and others. You will be inspired to keep your community going and humbled by it. We have started with an amazing legacy. The question is, how will we leave it?

Here are some Bible verses that provide a foundation for recollecting history:

Exodus 13:3 NLT: So Moses said to the people, “This is a day to remember forever—the day you left Egypt, the place of your slavery. Today the Lord has brought you out by the power of his mighty hand.

Note: Some translations use the word “commemorate.” Also note the strong emphasis of “forever,” some translations use “always.”

Deuteronomy 32:7 NLT: Remember the days of long ago; think about the generations past. Ask your father, and he will inform you. Inquire of your elders, and they will tell you.

Note: When is the last time you asked your parents, grandparents, and other elders about the past and kept track of it to recollect later? It is the elders that should have a godly perspective on life as they can see the times God worked for their good throughout their life.

Psalm 143:5 NLT: I remember the days of old. I ponder all your great works and think about what you have done.

Note: To ponder means to go deeper than just listening. It means to dwell on a matter and let yourself be changed by it.

2 Thessalonians 2:15 ESV: So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.

Note: “Tradition” in the Greek original has the meaning of “a giving over, passing on, which is done by word of mouth or in writing.” Spoken word could also include personal conversations and not just formal teaching.