I’ve been journaling more lately. I’ve quite enjoyed it do to the fact that I can write freely and openly without the restrictions that writing here can provide. Yes, you heard me, I write about all the things that matter most to me in my journal. If I ever catch you reading it, I will take you behind the toolshed and brandish a PVC pipe much to your worry.
One of the nicest elements of writing in my journal has been the time I spend with God in the mornings. As part of my quiet time of reading the Bible and praying to God, I’ve been doing what’s called “Active Listening”. Basically, I take a verse out of a passage of the Bible I’m reading or read recently OR a verse on some topic I’m studying in my life. After that, I analyze it and pick out some key ideas, instructions, and meanings from the verse. Then I pray about what the verse is saying and journal a prayer to God or write things God is saying to me through the verse.
Yesterday, for example, I looked at Philippians 1:27 ’cause I’d read it and wanted to spend some time thinking about it. It says:
“Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,”
Observations:
- manner of life should be worthy of the gospel
- stand in one spirit w/ one mind
- strive together for faith of the gospel
Then I proceed to write myself some questions such as “Do I live my life this way?” and a few ways my present life could use some improving.
This has been helpful for me recently. One of the huge topics in my life in the past few weeks has been trust in God and doing this “active listening” has helped.
“Trust” is always a huge issue. It’s an ever present element of the Christian life. It’s always possible to trust God more.
Verses Relating To Trust
• Proverbs 3:5-6
• Hebrews 11:1
• I Thessalonians 5:16-18
• Psalm 139:23-24