Psalm 143:8Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.
Let the morning bring me word….
Show me the way….
…to you I entrust my life.
Did you read that? or did you skip over the verse? Did the restating of phrases help you consider the words? Did you read it again?
It’s interesting how a first read through scripture can be so good, but a second and third read can be downright sustaining. In a world where we consume most information in bite-sized chunks of 400 words or less, are we taking time to really chew on the goodness of God’s word and let it nourish our souls?
In these posts, we hope to periodically share ideas which may help us to write God’s word on our hearts–for the purpose of knowing God more deeply.
One way to slow down and digest the meat of the word is to process it through your pen. You might be saying, “O No! Not journaling!”
Such reactions might be warranted. Maybe you’re not a word person, or you don’t want to take the added time to write things down. Maybe you have a wrong perception of what a journal should contain.
To state at the outset, a journal does not need to be lengthy. It can hold brief, concise lists: records of right, thanks, praises, prayers. It may be wise to write it as if your closest loved ones will one day read it. It should not be a listing of names and details of those who have done you wrong.
Instead, you might view it as a way to recount God’s goodness, a collection of Memorial Stones which remind you of His provision and good work.
Melissa shared at our Mom2Mom group recently how she often begins her quiet time with a Psalm. From that one chapter, she lists out five character traits she observes about God and then uses them to praise Him.
Shelly told our discussion table at a recent conference how journaling helps her understand and remember what she has read in the Bible. She keeps her journal with her as she reads scripture and will then write down the verses which challenge her. It helps her with recall and application.
Kathryn recently explained how God has shown her His goodness through a prayer journal in which she keeps an on-going list of prayers and concerns. She revisits them often, making notations and updates as those prayers are answered. It is plain to see how God has grown her faith through this process.
Are any of these ideas something you could incorporate in your quiet times?
Perhaps the greatest blessing I have experienced myself through journaling is to see the hand of God at work. It has grown my faith and helped me actively remember the goodness of the Lord.
He has made His wonderful works to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and full of compassion.
Psalm 111: 4
Warmly,
Erika
