One of my pastoral heroes who is now with the Lord kept an extensive journal for more than 60 years of ministry. Every day, he wrote in a small notebook the date of the entry, the weather for the day, his events throughout the day, and his reflections at the end of the day. Another pastoral hero has written a daily entry of his spiritual walk for almost as many years, noting his reading for the day, recording his prayer for the day, and putting in writing his commitments to the Lord.
I cannot help but think that journaling has been one activity that has kept these brothers focused on the Lord. When you pause each day to reflect on God enough to write about Him and His work in your life, you can’t help but cling to Him a bit more. Meditation on Him should lead to greater motivation to serve Him.
If you’re not a journaler, here are some ways to get started.
- Find a method that works for you—and do something. Your chosen method might be different than these, but that’s okay. I would rather you find a method that works, be consistent with it, and let the discipline grow. Even a sentence of reflection each day is better than no reflection at all.
- At a minimum, consider this simple method for journaling: at the end of every day, write 2-3 sentences about your walk with the Lord that day. Was it a good day? If so, why? Did you struggle? Why? Do you need to confess something? Do it. Do you wish you had done or said something differently? Write it down. It won’t take long to write a few thoughts, and you’ll be starting a record of the Lord’s work in your life.
- Start a prayer journal that includes one prayer entry each day. In a good prayer journal, write out your prayer to God—don’t just list your prayer concerns for that day. I really focus on writing out a prayer when I’m most burdened about something. Somehow, my burden is lighter after I’ve given significant attention to writing my words and expressing them to God.
- As you grow, think about this five-step method for journaling based on your Bible study time. Somewhere, record these thoughts each day:
- Date of your writing. I would also include the geographic location of your writing (e.g., “home, Wake Forest”; or “hiking trip, Black Mountain,” etc.) just in case you’re wondering years from now.
- What you read today. Just the Bible book and verses work here.
- One thing you learned today or want to work on in following God today. The more specific you can be, the more likely it will lead to some kind of life change.
- One step of obedience you will take today. Again, specificity makes this approach much more significant.
- One thing you’re most praying for today. Writing down the topic will help you remember it and thus reinforce your burden over it.
- As a parent or grandparent, think about writing a simple paragraph about walking with God each day—but address it to your children or grandchildren. Write with their future in mind, trusting they might someday want to read your journal and walk in your footsteps. Give them a copy at an appropriate time as they grow up.
So, if you haven’t started journaling, I will say it again: do something!
*first published at https://www.backtothebible.org/post/learning-the-discipline-of-journaling.