I am not one who has been faithful in “journaling” my walk with Christ. But I did have the “occasional inspiration” to write down my thoughts and reflections on concepts or life experiences. Recently, Grace and I started going through the “Apprentice Series” together. Among other things, the resource encourages journaling. So I decided to make another try at it.
I picked up one of my personal journals that I hadn’t used for years. In fact, there were only two and a half pages that had anything written on them. Allow me to share a couple of entries … unedited.
(7-12-1998) “Am I focusing on the proper thing in my relationship with Christ? Am I enjoying Christ, or simply his benefits? Lord, liberate me from being like a child who delights too much in the gifts that you give, & forgetting to delight in the giver. Help me that I may be enthralled with you more than with whatever benefits you graciously give.”
(8-15-1998) “Yesterday, last night, we got stuck in the middle of nowhere along I-5. The car’s fan belt broke. Thanks to Eric Harris & family, we got to call AAA using their cell phone … Hundreds of cars passed us by, only one cared enough to stop and help. Hmm. I would be counted among the hundreds! Lord, forgive me.”
As I read entries such as these, they became important reminders from the past: reviewing the many ways how God revealed his way to me, as well as challenging me to evaluate how I was doing now in light of the truths I am supposed to have learned back then. They allow me to see whether I am actually growing in my relationship with Christ. The journal is proving to be a helpful tool to assess my own journey of faith, and, by God’s grace, make the necessary adjustments.
Reviewing the journal entries is to me a powerful reminder of how the God I worship is a very personal God. He actually is present in my life and involved in the affairs of my life. And they also inspire me to maintain a genuinely personal faith, not just a religion of ideas, doctrines, and rules.
When I read the Psalms, I realize I am in good company when I journal my faith journey. For in many ways, that’s what much of the Psalms is: a journal of various believers’ walk with the Lord.
“I will remember the works of the LORD. Yes, I will remember the amazing things you did long ago!” (Psalm 77.11 NET)
–Keith Y. Jainga