One very popular Bible resource site that I visit has a constant add for a Christian self-publishing press. It may be that we believe publishing our writings gives us a sense of permanence and importance.  I heard one commentator describe the day in which we live as the cult of Christian Books. Many of us also believe that the answer to all our problems lies in finding the right book.

It is not that books are bad. They can be the key to a good education. They can be very helpful at times in living the Christian life. I have read a lot, taken a few attempts at writing some, and been helped by many. But the truth is most books, even well-meaning Christian books, sell less than a thousand copies, and then are lost in the acres of old books if they can be found at all.

But despite this fact, I am still going to encourage and challenge you to write a book. I am going to challenge you to write a book that will matter much more then just one more bestselling Amish fiction title. I am asking you to write a book about how your story is fitting into God’s story. I want to encourage you to journal about your prayer life.

We all have the opportunity to write a book exclusively to the one who cares about us, ultimately judges us, and has the capacity to hear about our pains, troubles, and hurts. The one who created the universe. The one who actually cares. The one who is God and out of pure love humbled himself to becoming a man. The one who has the ability to empathize with your pain and concerns. That is the begotten Son of God Jesus Christ.

The One who is right now, if we believe on him, conforming us into the image of Love through our trials. We can write down when we get discouraged, circumstances let us down, other people betray us, and when no one seems interested in our story. God is interested in our story.

Jesus Christ intimately cares. When we journal, it gives us the opportunity to go back and read about how God is weaving our lives into His. It reminds us how he is showing us our sin by illuminating His Word, and conforming us to His standards.  We can create a memorial like Joshua did after crossing the Jordan (Joshua 4:7) that can remind ourselves and our family of God’s goodness and sustenance. We can create memorials by writing down the little joys that make up what is good in this life as we see God’s hand. How the light of God is shining into a dark world, proclaiming praise to God for his Word and Creation, and how God answered our prayers and sustained us through difficulties.

There is no Biblical requirement to journal. If this seems to be just one more “legalistic” thing to do if you are going to be a “good Christian” then please by all means don’t do it! But if you are naturally inclined to writing, feel that your growth in the Christian life is scattered, or that your story doesn’t matter much to anyone. I believe you will find journaling a great help. We have created easy to print month by month journals that ask the writer to note a special moment that occurs each day, give praise to God, and write down petitions, prayers, concerns, and answers to prayer. These journals can be found under the journal section of the website. They can be simply stapled together or spiral bound for about three dollars at the office supply store.