There is nothing I need to say to try and prove journaling is a good tool, it’s tried and true. History shows us that.
The purposes of journaling can be summed up in these:
- To track healthy and unhealthy patterns. It provided a safe place to reflect and evaluate.
- Prayer - it helps you track prayer, what/who you’re praying for and when things happen because of prayer.
- Helps keep track of goals, plans or instructions as well as keep you accountable.
- Dreams- I talk a lot about why writing our dreams down is important in my book. It helps us steward what God is showing us, and learn personal dream language. As well as remembering important details, and prophetic things that occur or confirm over time.
- To keep track of history. Events, testimonies, what we learned and how we learned it, world events, personal life experiences big and small. All of which matters to God.
All of these purposes I hope leads to encountering God more, daily. He is always speaking, and relationship is what we were created for. Along the way we uncover so much, and learn too. History shows us journaling was the norm for most of the world. Im not sure when it changed, but I know it has to do with the fast paced internet world. Which is an amazing tool in itself. Hi! We are using it now. But I don’t believe God ever intended for us to lose the ability or desire to journal. Mothers have always done it, with kids and before sliced bread, and microwaves. Fathers and leaders and men in the depths of war zones have found time to keep records. They weren’t too busy. You and I aren’t either. We must reset our minds, and hearts. Slow down and make room for it.
I was thinking about how much the Diary of Anne Frank impacted me in Jr. High.
She kept a diary while hiding from the Nazi’s in WW2. One could say what else did she have to do, umm worry. Most Americans claim anxiety and depression from living in extremely privileged circumstances. I am not making light. Not at all. Pointing out a simple truth. Anne Frank chose to keep a record, to have faith and look for hope, to believe some good would come. She died. How many lives have been impacted by her words? Millions. There are so many others like her.
Most of the history and missionary books we read now are because they kept really good records and personal journals.
What will we have to show?
This bothers me some days when I think about the generations to come that will have to learn many things the hard way because we did not steward this well.
We chose Facebook squares as our legacy.
We can change it.
Simply, start keeping a journal. Teach your kids, if you have any, to keep a journal.
I believe everyone has a responsibility to keep a personal record. Im not saying every day, and seasons come and go. But if you slow down, and listen I promise God will tell you when and what is most important.
Now I also believe some are called to be scribes, to write on a bigger scale, for bigger audiences. If that’s you, later in the week I will be sharing more.
In part 1 I talk about some purposes of journaling and how I believe ultimately it should lead to more encounters with God.
I know I spoke heavily on legacy and responsibility to help equip later generations.
But I want to challenge you to write as if no one will ever read it.
Anne Frank didn't know her diary would be read by millions. I'm sure that wasn't even a thought in her mind. It was a therapeutic way for her to make it through what she was living, to process and communicate safely.
I have been keeping journals since I was in 4th grade. I still have my first one. Over the years I've not written as much, or at all in some seasons. But I've always kept records of some kind.
-Personal diaries: some of which after they serve a purpose I've destroyed. Because it was between me and God.
-Devotional style: while studying the Bible or other books.
-Simple gratitude journaling.
-I've journaled specifically while changing exercise or eating habits.
-dreams and revelations
-prayers I have prayed, and prayers I've seen answered. Prayer for my kids individually.
One time a good friend kept a journal of prayers she prayed over me for a whole year, and gave it to me as a Christmas gift! I treasure it.
-teachings and things I know God has said to write to share with others.
Learning the difference between what is personal and what is for others is important. Often the personal stuff may impact others too, but that is usually in the future.
My point you can have as many journals going at once as you want.
Very rarely are these things written all in the same place for me.
They can be found in different notebooks or leather-bound journals or scraps of paper in a binder.
Whatever works.
Just write.
Most of the examples I mentioned above others may never read, or benefit from.
But I did benefit greatly while writing.
It gave me space to draw nearer to God, to slow down and listen as well as communicate.
It allowed me to see patterns that I needed to change, thoughts I needed to take captive, strongholds, and beliefs that needed to be replaced with truth.
I saw places where God carried me even when I felt alone and places where I thrived and grew tremendously.
Please don't journal in the hope of fame and a platform. That's the wrong heart position for anything we do in life, not only journaling.
We have to stop seeking our own glory and building our own kingdoms.
Remember:
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
Matthew 6:33
What are “these things”?
If you go back up and read in 6:30-32 you'll see some examples:
Food, clothing, and needs you feel you have. The point is God cares and KNOWS all our needs. He also knows what He designed us to do, and who we would be called to reach for His kingdom. Who we would love and even have influence over. What culture and time we be part of. He isn't surprised by the internet or the chemicals in our food or the turmoil we face daily in different forms.
He knows.
He has already made a way, ask Him to lead you. To show you His ways, then follow.
Maybe you're keeping a diary that millions will glean from in the future.
Maybe only your great-grandchild will read it, and say “Wow my great-grandpa/ma was a friend of God”
Regardless of how or if it's ever used, it matters.
The moment in time you give to it matters to God and to your heart.
That is most important.
❤️Shannon