He Remembered Me

July 25, 1994, was a day I remember very, very well for two reasons. First, I first picked up my Camaro from the DeKalb Chevrolet dealership. Second, I met Senator Trent Lott at the Courthouse Square during a series of stump speeches. Due to the small crowd, the senator was free to chat at leisure. I was impressed by how willing a high-ranking national politician such as himself was to listen to what a 16-year-old kid had to say. It’s why I have always had great respect for Senator Lott. As amazed as I was then, I would be more so later on.

I was selected to take a weeklong visit to Washington, D.C. as part of East Mississippi Electric Power Association’s Youth Tour (http://www NULL.emepa NULL.com/community/youth_tour/index NULL.html) in July of 1995. One of our stops was the congressional office of our state’s senators. While Senator Thad Cochran was occupied with ongoing BRAC meetings that year, Senator Lott made himself available. After Senator Lott had spoken to our group of around thirty, he shook hands and made small talk with each of us. When he came up to me, he said, “hello, Mr. Wiggins! How are things back in Kemper County? Still have that red car?”

To a junior in high school, having a U.S. Senator on the fast track to the minority leadership position (later becoming Senate Majority Leader) greeting you by name and asking about your personal life isn’t just a big deal…it’s pretty huge! But, as I was thinking about this earlier today, I realized that this is something I’ve taken for granted often in my life.

Jesus already knows all there is to know about us, but even more amazing is how He takes active interest in us. Just take a look at Psalm 139 (http://www NULL.biblegateway NULL.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20139;&version=50;) to see just how much interest. The Lord knows all about us, but that’s not enough for Him…He desires a personal relationship with us. It calls to mind the old saying about a true friend being someone who knows all about you but still loves you…that’s God for you!

Scripture presents us with a picture of the Savior’s interest in us in Revelation 3:20. “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” When this was written, dining together was an act of friendship and, in case of a disagreement, an opportunity for reconciliation. The fact the He desires this kind of closeness to us should not only impress, but it should cause us to seek to really worship Him for the grace and goodness He has expressed toward an undeserving us.

When you pray, be sure to thank the Lord for taking an interest in your life on a personal level. And be sure to thank Him for laying down His own life to make it possible for us to have an eternal relationship with Him.

Oh, and if Mr. Lott ever happens to read this…things are going well in Kemper, and I still have that red car!