Your Spiritual Journey
I have always desired and strived to have a consistent habit of keeping a spiritual journal, but I have found myself with a collection of notebooks half filled, or sometimes not even that. It is a struggle sometimes to form disciplines, from praying, daily reading and studying God’s Word, to things like working out or simply cleaning up after yourself. We know these things are good for us, but consistency can be difficult. Some may wonder, what is the biblical precedent for keeping a spiritual journal?
Notice the title of my devotional today: Your Spiritual Journey. A spiritual journal is keeping a record of your journey with God. It is simply keeping a record of what God has done, what He is doing, and what you hope to see Him, or yourself, do in the future. It is a record of His works in your life.
I think King David is a great example of this. When you read the Psalms, they almost read like a raw, honest spiritual journal. David writes about his victories and his failures, his fears and his faith, his questions and his confidence in God. He records what God has done and reminds himself of God's faithfulness.
David says in Psalm 77:11–12:
"I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
I will consider all your works
and meditate on all your mighty deeds."
Notice those words: “I will remember the deeds of the Lord.” How will he remember?
If I don’t write down what my wife wants at the grocery store, I will probably forget it by the time I reach my car to drive there! We forget things. And sadly, sometimes we even forget the things God has done in our lives. I think keeping a spiritual journal can also help us keep track of prayer requests and praises. Imagine being able to look back months or even years later and see something you prayed about, then beside it see how God answered that prayer. Looking back over your life and seeing the ways God has worked in it is a wonderful thing. A spiritual journal gives us a way to remember His faithfulness, recognize what He is doing today, and look forward with faith to what He may do tomorrow.
