Keeping Journals

By Tosin Lawal

Devotional Reading: When you come, bring my coat. I left it with Carpus at Troas. Also bring my books. Most of all, bring the ones made out of animal skins.
2 Timothy 4:13 NIRV

A few weeks ago, I was going through my journals dated as far as five (5) years ago till date. I was amazed going through some of the rich content written down with my hands. Among them were songs I’ve been inspired to write instructions from God about my life, prophecies, gleanings from the word of God, and so on. It was indeed a refreshing moment.

In our opening text, we read about how the apostle Paul asked Timothy to bring his books whenever he returned to his place.

Throughout the history of the Bible days, we have seen the power of documenting and preserving documentation. This is God’s primary tool in revealing the story of creation, and how God has been relating with man from creation to date. The Bible reveals the general plan and purpose of God for humanity. The Bible helps us understand God’s nature and personality through the knowledge of Jesus Christ as revealed in the Bible. Hence, the Bible is being referred to as sacred (Holy) and the written word of God.

Journals are simply records of personal experiences, reflections, or ideas kept regularly for private use. As you journey in life, building your intimacy with the Lord in daily fellowship with him, there are specific experiences you will be having with God. The best thing to do is to document them.

There are things the Lord will reveal to you as you spend time with him. Some of them may have to do with the past, present, or even the future.
Keeping a journal helps you keep track of your walk with the Lord. Take for instance, it can help you to master the way you hear God and have comprehensive knowledge about the plan and purpose of God for your life. The truth is, you cannot download the plans and purpose of God for your life all at once. We grow in our understanding of it. Keeping journals will help and take you a long way.

Keeping journals will help you track your dealings with the Lord. Moments will come in your life when you will be tempted to forget some of God’s blessings, when you will be tempted to think you are confused regarding following God’s plan for your life. Days when you will feel God has never been speaking to you. Funny though. Keeping a journal will save you from troubles like those- for mere going through your journal, your mind will be refreshed, and much clarity will come even to you.

Keeping journals will save you from confusion that can later come in the future. Imagine there was no documentation of the creation story, the plan of God for humanity, the early walk of Jesus, the Acts of the Apostles, and so on. We Christians would have been left with different ideas about having the correct understanding of God. Many people will even tell us different ways in which a person can become a child of God.

There is power in keeping journals as a Christian. You will often have ideas, inspirations, and experiences with God; it is wisdom to document them.
The majority of the Psalms we read today are products of David’s keeping journals. The Psalms are mainly a product of David’s personal life and fellowship with God, which he documented. And as you can see, they are of blessings to us today when we read them. There are days when you will feel down and be discouraged. Reading through your own journals (if you keep one) refreshes your soul, making you come alive full of faith, hope, and love.

Dearly beloved, I encourage you to cultivate the habit of keeping journals. It will enrich and take you a long way in life. You can start by writing daily about how God has ministered to you during your devotions, putting down thoughts that strike your hearts, instructions, revelations, and so on. Get a hard cover note book, or save your journals on your smart phone which you can later upload to your email every month for the purpose of preservation. Blessings.

Further Readings: Jeremiah 30:1-2, Habakkuk 2:2, Psalms 119:105, Revelation 1:11

Reading Proverbs: Proverbs 6-10