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At one time in my life, I could recall more than a hundred phone numbers on demand, now I barely know my own and my wife’s number. Phone numbers, account numbers, dates, conversations. I could recall information at will, like a mental rolodex.  I honestly couldn’t tell you anyone else’s numbers other than the sports talk call-in line. It’s sad, really.

I didn’t suddenly forget how to use my memory; technology simply presented a more efficient way. I didn’t need to remember that information any more.

Sometimes, I feel like one of those old phone numbers – forgotten. Especially in the eyes of God. Doesn’t He know what I’m doing down here? Doesn’t He know how much I’m serving Him and sacrificing for Him? Where’s all that blessing?

At times, I feel Joseph’s pain. Joseph spent plenty of years imprisoned at no fault of his own. And even when he helped people out, they eventually forgot about him. Joseph interpreted the cup bearer’s dream while they were in prison—and did the cupbearer remember Joseph?

“The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him.” – Genesis 40:23

The cupbearer forgot the man who turned his morbid nightmare into a prediction of a dream come true in three short days.

But then I stop and think, maybe like Joseph did. Who am I to demand blessing? Who am I to demand attention for doing what I should be doing – that is, being obedient to God’s call on my life? Who am I to demand progression to another chapter in my life when God is still working on my backstory?

Remember what Jesus said about the sparrows – and you:

“Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” – Luke 12:6-7

God is more interested in refining my character and molding me into who He has called me to be, and less interested in my comfort and life situation. In fact, He oftentimes uses the latter to build the former. And it’s in those moments of clarity that I realize I’m far from forgotten—He’s still deeply engaged in helping me become the man of God that He wants me to be.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT:

Do you ever feel forgotten? In what ways do you see God remembering you, even when it doesn’t feel like He has?