Since the beginning of time, humans have been documenting events of all kinds: genealogies, births, deaths, historical events, and many others. This long-standing practice has helped us to draw a detailed picture of our past, and in some ways, it has helped direct us into the future. It’s important to revisit history so that we can keep those lessons learned in the front of our minds.
Journaling is no different! Even on a personal level, we document important parts of our story with dates, times, events, places, and people that have made an impact on our lives, for better or for worse. In a Biblical context, journaling can reveal a lot about yourself and, most importantly, remind you of the Lord’s goodness.
When I was a teen, I had it all figured out. I knew exactly what I wanted to do with my life, the kind of man I wanted to marry, and everything else in between. Didn’t you?
Okay, all jokes aside, I definitely did not have a single thing figured out. At that time I was learning how to have my own relationship with God and grow in the knowledge of His Word. Throughout my teen years, I found myself in a rollercoaster relationship with God–one that I had a hard time giving up control to Him.
Some moments in my faith journey aren’t as vivid as others, but I did journal a lot during that time. It started out as a few sermon notes and personal devotions (I regret to admit that sometimes they weren’t happening daily, or even at all). But as I grew up and I had to sort out being a Christian in this hopelessly dark world, I wrestled with bitterness, self-righteousness, and loneliness, and I wrote about my struggles with them. As my teen years came to a close, I began to question God’s plan for my singleness, and prayed to Him about it a lot through journaling as well. In the beginning, a lot of it was emotionally driven as I expressed to the Lord the things I thought were my needs. But as I grew in my faith, I realized my heart posture had to change.
Eventually, I realized that even though the things I wrote down were personal, raw, and from my own heart, I had to direct my journaling (and my heart) to ultimately focus on Him. His grace, His works in my life, and what He was doing in others’ lives, too. Although I don’t journal every day, I still write down precious key moments where the Lord has used a situation or a sermon to teach me about His grace, sovereignty, and holiness.
Here’s why I do it, and why you should too!
Journaling jogs the memory.
Insert cool science-backed fact here: you are naturally able to remember things better if you write them down. If you document what God has done in your life, you can look back on those moments. This is especially powerful when you're struggling through a trial. Remembering what God has done in your life in the past reminds you of God's faithfulness today and for tomorrow, too.
You can look back at an older entry and find that you were in a completely different place spiritually back then. You could see a pattern of God having to teach you something specific. Maybe, you could even see a different kind of pattern--of a sin you struggled with, and how repentance and accepting God's grace caused you to fight against it by God's power. It is good to remember moments like these because they are a bolster to your faith in hard times, and an encouragement in easier times.
I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old.
I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds.
Journaling gets the junk from your heart onto the paper.
You can also use journaling as a form of prayer, when you simply can't find the words to cry out to God. Writing things out helps you sort out your feelings, your situation, and how you can conform to God's truth in light of it. He will meet you wherever you are; you simply have to cry out in brokenness and humility of heart. There is no place so low and so dark that God will not reach you. There is no sin that is so bad that He will not want to forgive you. He urges us to repent and come to Him to renew our hearts and give us a new desire to follow Him. Even if you're saved, sin is a battle that sometimes feels like you're losing. In the privacy of your journal and your open Bible, you can find strength in the truths that God shares with you.
The LORD is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
Journaling points you to Jesus.
Seeing what God has done in your life should lead you to praise the Good Shepherd for leading you down the path you're on, and to look to Him for continual transformation. Just as the Bible reminds us of the past, anchors us in the present, and gives us hope for the future, you can look at your notes and be encouraged that God is still in control and that He will lead you and keep you in His perfect path.
But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.
A Note about Sermon Notes
Growing up as a young Christian in the church and my family life, I was taught consistently about the importance of having a relationship with God and being a student of His Word. I love journaling because it's something that is very crucial in my personal walk with Christ to this day.
What I was not taught by my experiences is my habit of legalistic note-taking. I always wrote down what I took from the Sunday sermon in detail and theological depth that eventually numbed my spirit to the simple yet profound truths of the Word of God. At the time, I was still understanding what it truly meant to have a relationship with God instead of trying to please Him from my outward actions alone. God didn't want my outlines; He wanted my obedience. He didn't need my notes; He wanted my heart all along. Until I really fell in love with Jesus Christ, my faith didn't really grow, despite my own feeble efforts.
Why am I bringing this up at all? Because when you journal, it's okay to make detailed outlines and study deeply. That's what God calls us to do with His Word! However, when you do, you must make sure your heart is set on loving God and communing with God instead of trying to make yourself look good or marking off some kind of checklist.
For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
How do I get started?
Well, if you're reading this and you're wanting to journal your faith, you'll need just a couple of things to get started.
You get to choose a notebook that you can dedicate to your prayers, notes, and other things you hold dear and want to write down. Disclaimer: I would highly suggest not using this notebook for to-do lists or things like that. If you're anything like me, those reminders will get utterly lost between the pages of "Lord, help me!" and the sermon that the guest pastor delivered a few weeks ago. Choose any style, material, or kind of notebook that suits you! Some of my Bible-related notebooks have bright colors, floral patterns, or even specific textures that help me to focus on the dedicated purpose of that particular journal.
Pens! Or pencils. Whatever you like to write with! If you like using your favorite color, do that! If you like to scrapbook your notebook with scribbled boxes, circles, or random highlights, do it. The more you journal, your own unique writing style will start to develop. Break the rules--write outside the lines if it helps you to retain what you learn as you dive deeper into God's wonderful Word!
Before you enter into God's presence, pray that He would direct your heart as you read the Bible and make notes, or as you pour out your heart to Him. God loves having a relationship with us, and perhaps the most important part of a healthy relationship involves communication and sharing. Don't hold back; and be sure to pray for His truth to affect your heart so you can live differently and become closer to Him.
What type of notebook should I use?
Although you can use any size, shape, or type of notebook, I recommend finding a notebook with a Bible verse on the front cover. It can help set the tone for your journaling sessions, and helps you direct your thoughts to God before you even click open your pen.
And speaking of pens, I also highly recommend these pens for your note-taking, because they will work well in any notebook as well as in your Bible! If you're one of those people who writes in your Bible, you know that special paper only likes certain kinds of pens. The pens I use in my Bible don't bleed or smear (which is already way too easy for this southpaw), and they glide smoothly against the thinner paper. I love their versatility and colors!
Conclusion
Along with a Bible, a notebook can be a very tender and intimate place to spend time with God. When you fill a notebook with Scriptures, notes, and prayers, you begin writing a ledger of your precious time with the Lord, and you can open that notebook later on in your life to be reminded of where God as brought you and what you've learned in your walk with Him.
If you don't take notes on your personal Bible study, or don't know where to start studying the Bible, just pick a book and start reading! It really is that simple! A simple but effective method of Bible study is to read your chapter or passage once a day for three days, then on the fourth day start making some notes, answering questions like:
Consult a commentary too! So many believers have walked this walk before us, and have so much wisdom to offer! Blue Letter Bible has dozens of free commentaries from solid preachers like Spurgeon, MacArthur, Guzik and many more.
I'm a firm believer that commentaries and study guides are crucial to understanding and applying the Bible in its true, original context. And, if you have a hard time picking a book like I do, start by thinking of an area you know you need growth in. Pray about it, and then look up passages or books of the Bible that pertain to that topic of struggle or interest. There are even pre-made Bible plans that can help you narrow down what you want to study! God will lead you to the right topic at the right time, as you search in faith.
Journaling doesn't have to be just a dump for your emotions. It can be so much more when you infuse your journaling time with the hope and truth of Christ! Dive into His Word today, and start transcribing the story He is writing in your life.
