“Pastor Mike,” the young woman said, “do you remember me?” I stared at her sort-of-familiar face, and my brain immediately cried, “Mayday! Mayday! This is about to get awkward!” As much as I wish I could remember everyone’s name, face, story, and situation, I can’t. I forget. And my forgetfulness seems to be increasing with every birthday.

Are you like me? Do you have a Snapchat brain that can forget a person’s name just moments after meeting them? Did you ever forget your homework/lunchbox/jersey at home when you went to school? or your username/password on one of your many online accounts? Ever forget someone’s birthday? or your own anniversary? I bet you would agree that remembering is really hard.

Even with God. Moses once told Israel, “Be careful that you do not forget the Lord” (Deuteronomy 6:12). Moses wasn’t worried that people would forget the Ninth Commandment or the minute details of the sacrificial system. He was concerned that they would forget the Lord himself!

This is why your spiritual habits matter so much. Even if your weekly church service or daily Grace Moments devotion speaks of things you already know, those habits are God’s ways of helping you remember. The repeated message that “Jesus lived. Jesus died. Jesus rose” will keep Jesus’ glorious work in your long-term memory so your soul has a constant reason to rejoice and have peace.

Remembering can be hard work. But Jesus is worth remembering.