Core Memories

Core Memories

Greetings all, 

It's been a long time since I last posted here and this blog is a habit that I need to bring back. I've been struggling to think of a starting topic for you all but tonight, at dinner with a dear friend, everything fell into place.

This week's passage is found in Luke 2:41-52. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%202&version=NIV<-- That link will take you to the passage if you don't happen to have a Bible on hand. 

If you haven't seen Pixar's newest film Inside Out, I'd suggest going to see it ASAP. Don't worry though, no real spoilers here. The film takes place inside the mind of an 11 year old girl. We see her emotions and how they control her actions. One important part of the film is the introduction of core memories, memories that are so important that they shape different parts of an individual's personality. 

I began to ask myself the question: What would some of my core memories be? What are some things that are so vivid in my life that it shaped who I am today?

This brings us to our passage of the week where we read about a twelve year old Jesus. In our passage he visits Jerusalem for Passover as He had been doing for years. This would not be an ordinary trip though, as eventually His parents would leave him there for 3 days! Some of us have lost children/been the lost child in the grocery store for 5 minutes, I can't imagine being forgotten for 3 days! 

What is interesting though is the interaction when Mary and Joseph return to Jerusalem to find Jesus. They don't find Jesus panicking or worrying, but rather He is listening and asking questions. Now it's easy to pass this story off as Jesus being perfect and knowing all because He is the Son of God, but sometimes I feel we forget to notice that Jesus was also 100% man. He is recognized here for being wise and admired by all who saw Him. This core memory begins that in His father's house He gains wisdom and understanding. 

Do you remember the first time you experienced wisdom? Whether that be from a parent, teacher, or even a preacher? What moment told you how little you actually knew? I like to think that there are two different paths for intelligence to take as it grows. The first is folly: This is when your intelligence is used to place yourself above others as a superior being. We all know that person who seems so intelligent and yet constantly makes terrible decisions. "How can they know so much and yet be so dumb?" The second path is wisdom: This is when your intelligence is used to place yourself in perspective of just how little you actually know. God created an enormous universe and we are just little dots in the grand scheme of it all. So who are we as dots to place ourselves above other dots on the grand scale?

Mary asks Jesus why He would do this to His father and mother? He must have known they would be worried? When Jesus poses a question back to them and they do not understand what He is trying to say. We don't see Jesus explain why He had to be in His father's house though, but rather He is obedient and returns home, growing in wisdom and stature. 

When I read the gospels I often wonder how much turmoil goes on inside Jesus's body as He was both 100% man and 100% God. How much did He actually know from the beginning of the plan for Him? In this core memory Jesus tastes the wisdom of those older than Him, and yet does not place Himself above His parents showing his intelligence over them. It is in this moment that wisdom appears to be brought into Jesus's life.

And that is the beauty of core memories. Certain moments have already had an impact on turning you into the person that you are now, and yet for some moments you didn't even realize that it was happening. Maybe the first time you read a book, or played a sport, or even met a future spouse? I will be starting my 5th year in Residence Life here at Samford University in the fall and as I discussed this with my friend we talked about how the job has shaped us into who we are today. It is crazy to think that almost one-fourth of my life has been spent working at this job! I know that I have had some core memories develop in my time here and I look forward to seeing those traits grow!

So here is the challenge: We all have core memories that turn us into who we are. Jesus used a core memory of being left behind for 3 days to grow in wisdom, how will you use yours?

Thanks for reading, and I pray that God blesses your week in incredible ways!

-rcrawford