In the old days when a king or emperor would take over a country/province, one of the first things they would do is burn their history books. If you took away their history books you would take away their past, their collective knowledge and ultimately their existence. The history books of a people group tell them about who they are, where they came from and what they went through to get to where they are today.The Bible is a prime example of this, being not only the living word of God but also outlining the history of the people of Israel.
As Christians we can identify with the people of Israel relationally when it comes to God and His people. Perhaps we can also draw on similar thoughts, behaviors, and emotions when faced with similar situations and circumstances that we might encounter today as being followers of Christ.
But what I felt like God wanted me to highlight today was the importance of journaling and remembering YOUR history.
One of the things that I’ve started doing was after writing in my journal for the day I would go back to my last year’s journal and read what I wrote on the same day. (I actually got this idea from my barber, God can speak through anyone!). When I started reading my entries from last year on the same day, I was able to reflect on where I was at that time last year, mentally, emotionally, spiritually. Some days I was thinking to myself “Man, that was rough,” other days I said to myself “Dang that’s deep.”
When I started this process one of the coolest things started to happen to me. The Holy Spirit would start to use some of my old journal entries to speak to my current day situations.
Last year’s revelations were this year’s confirmations.
What I mean by that is that the things that God was showing me last year about myself and the situations I was in, were actually confirmations for where I am today and what was happening in my life. It gave me hope and courage that I was heading in the right direction and that God is with me today.
I was able to see who I was last year, where I had come from, and what I went through to get to the present day. It was like my own personal history book.
Can I be honest with you? The enemy wants to destroy your history books. The enemy wants to take away any history of battles you’ve won and lost. The enemy doesn’t want you to recall who you once were and what God did to you and through you to get to where you are today. The enemy wants to take away any hope you may be able to draw from in your past experiences.
Here’s the scary part: The enemy isn’t just thinking about you when he’s destroying your history books. The enemy wants to destroy your lineage, the generations to come and any potential for you to leave a legacy.
If your children don’t know who their grandparents are, who their parents are or where they came from and what they had to overcome to be who they are today then they might find it easier to give in to them enemies temptations, fall and even give up when faced with trial, tribulation and adversity of many kinds.
I no longer journal just to talk to God. I no longer journal just to remember significant events and things that are happening to me mentally/physically/spiritually/emotionally. I have now added the intent to journal for my family, my lineage, the generations to come before me and to leave a legacy so that they too may know who they are and where they came from.
They say after 3 generations you and your stories will be forgotten. I’m trying to ensure that doesn’t happen to me or my family.
My journaling sessions have become significantly longer, I’m not going to lie. But it’s worth every word; I hear, write and speak.
My prayer for you is that you would not let what God has done in your life be left untold. May your stories live on to inspire and give hope to the generations to come. May the power of Christ be seen in your words and actions. Let it all be done in Jesus name, Amen!