Write Your Way Closer to Godಮಾದರಿ

Why Journal?

In our journals, we can seek to see Jesus and assess our attempts to live like him.

When I was a senior in high school, I lost one of my black diamond earrings. I tore the house apart, retraced my steps, and tried to think of every possibility for where it could be. I remember crawling around on my hands and knees with my cheek on the floor, scanning the carpet at eye level. I felt along the edges of the molding. I spent hours looking everywhere. I was intense, unwilling to give up. I had to find it.

I think that's what I'm doing as I write in my journal. I'm seeking, looking for God in the circumstances of my life, in the truths of Scripture, in the answers to prayer, in the beauty of nature, in the joy of a child. I am not alone in my search. Jesus has invited me to pursue him, and he leads the way.

My all-out search for my earring left me empty-handed, apparently a wasted day. But a few days later, as my mom moved an armchair to vacuum the carpet, there was my earring in the depression left by the foot of the chair. Throughout Scripture, we have the promise that if we seek the Lord, we will find him. Sometimes our seeking leads us into his presence, where we find his sweetness so profound, our words cannot adequately express our adoration for him. Other times, we are left wondering if we wasted our morning. Sometimes we need other people to help us find him. I am convinced from Scripture, however, that regardless of our immediate experience, there is something about the process of seeking that the Lord wants for us. Seeking causes us to grow. Most of my spiritual seeking takes place in my journal as I write.

Reflect on your purpose for journaling. What are the benefits you’ve found? If you are new to journaling, what would you like to accomplish as you write?