Journal Keeping As a Sacramental Act

I am a firm believer in sacramental living. I see some belongings as sacramental ownership, and I’ve blogged on here (Feb 2009) about that idea and method of thinking. But sacraments are not my idea, of course. They are God’s. However as I live out my life in ways that I believe God wants, I see sacraments in a lot of places. Not only are the sacraments present that God instituted such as baptism, communion, and marriage but I believe whenever we encounter an outward and spiritual sign of an inward spiritual grace, it’s a good idea to consider the fact that there could be a sacrament present in that.

As Christians we are expected to live a spiritual life instead of living a carnal life. That way of living makes it possible to cultivate a fertile field for spiritual activity. Maybe you worry that living a spiritual life may make you seem weird to the world. Well, you’re right. It might. But the reward of living a life of the Spirit is so great, why do we care what the world thinks? After all the writer of Romans says, “And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.” (Rom 8:10) Do we want to live a life of righteousness? Of course we do.

I have kept a journal off and on almost all of my life. But I have faithfully kept one since 1980, and the benefits of keeping a journal are many. They are too many to list here. But I can assure you that the discipline of keeping one will aid you in growing spiritually by leaps and bounds. I always give my Spiritual directees a first page for their journals when I talk to them about journal keeping. On that first page is the scripture by Jeremiah that says, “Set up for yourself road marks. Place for yourself guideposts, direct your mind to the highway, the way by which you went.” (Jer 31:21)

How can you know how far you’ve come if you don’t know where you were before? And it is almost impossible to know that if it’s only in your head. It is essential to write your life down on paper so you see with your eyes where God has brought you. As a result your journal will also reveal to you where God is taking you. Your journal can be your testimony, a written reflection, of your purpose and your destiny.

A journal is like a true friend who keeps every confidence. The place where you can pour out your heart with no consequences. Your confessor and your voice of reason. In writing out conversations with friends, lovers, or God your journal is a place to pick your fights, to work through forgiveness, and to share your tears or laughter. A journal can be your holy space. Your prayer closet. Your prie deux. Your sanctuary.

Let me urge you to start a journal today. Buy yourself a pretty book. Give it respect and attention. Set aside a time and place for contemplation and reflection. Make a date with your journal and keep it. The rewards are numerous. The benefits priceless. Keeping your journal will become a sacrament in your life, an outward sign of a spiritual grace within you. It’s one of the very best ways you can love God and yourself.

Copyright 2011 Gloria Fisher. All rights reserved.