Write to Remember
And the LORD said to Moses, “WRITE these words, for in accordance with these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel.” Exodus 34:27 (ESV)
I have learned the importance of writing. Several years ago I attended a conference at Willow Creek Community Church outside of Chicago. Bill Hybels is the senior pastor of the church. During one of the presentations, he shared the best practices of effective communicators. One of the best practices was “Never lose a thought.”
If something comes to you – write it down. Don’t let it go. Don't let yourself lose the thought. Our minds are ineffective storage devices. If you want to remember something – write it down!
I have learned this the hard way. More than once my wife has asked me to do something. I made the mistake of relying on my memory instead of writing it down. The result was not good.
Write to Succeed
Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: WRITE in a book all the words that I have spoken to you. Jeremiah 30:2 (ESV)
Yesterday, I talked about having a mission in life. What is it that motivates you? Where are you headed? What is your aim and your purpose?
Write it down. It is easy to forget. In the shuffle of life, it is easy to get lost. We are easily distracted.
It is shown that people who have goals accomplish more than people who do not have goals. It is further shown that people who write down their goals are more likely to accomplish them than those who don’t.
When you write down your mission and your goals, make sure to put them in a place where you will see them often. I was recently listening to a podcast by Michael Hyatt on goal setting. He shared how he created a screensaver on his computer using his goals. It is a way he remembers what is important.
Write to Learn
I will put my laws into their minds,
and WRITE them on their hearts,
and I will be their God,
and they shall be my people. Hebrews 8:10 (ESV)
A mentor of mine, Dr. Barry Kolb, would say: “The difference between reading you Bible and studying it is a pencil.” When I preach on Sunday mornings, I will sometimes tell people to write in their Bibles. Make notes. The next time you open up that page of the Bible, you will have a record of what you learned previously.
When I first graduated seminary, I made a commitment to read and keep learning. More recently I have made the commitment to write. What I have found is that writing helps me learn better because it forces me to articulate my thoughts. I am better able to embrace and make sense of a new concept.
If you have a big decision, you can write down the pros and cons. Just seeing the pros and cons in front of you can help to bring a clarity that is impossible to see in your mind alone. Writing will help you make better decisions.
Write to Share
WRITE therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this. Revelation 1:19 (ESV)
Write to share with others. It is one thing to write to benefit yourself, but it is another thing to write to benefit others. You likely have something to share. We all have something to share. Writing is one way to share our unique contribution. When you don't share your voice, there is something missing.
Writing will help you more effectively communicate with others. If you have an important conversation, take some time to write down your thoughts before the conversation. You will be better prepared.
God Gives Us A Precedence
These are WRITTEN so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. John 20:31 (ESV)
God leaves us his written word. What a blessing! He spoke it once, but we can keep going back to the well. God's word does not return void. We have a great treasure he left us. Because it is written down, it is left for us to learn, to study, and to live out. It is there that we can discover God's abundant life.
Questions for Reflection
- Do you have written goals?
- What is the value in writing?
- What are the benefits of having God's written word.
- Share your comments.
Becky Rash says
I needed this encouragement today. Thanks for being a writer and sharing with us! It encourages me to continue to do the same.
Gwen says
Rev. Phil,
You are a gifted writer and your blog is really appreciated. Thank you, it does make a difference.
Tammy says
Very interesting idea that even writing down thoughts is a biblical principle. I want to journal but struggle with the discipline of it. This perspective fortifies my natural desire. Thank you.