Ever thought of keeping notes during your quiet time? Apart from your usual Bible and daily devotional guide, another quiet time resource you should have is a journal. As a Christian, it is important to have a quiet time journal as it helps you have an organised devotional activity.
Having a one-to-one interaction with God every morning is essential. It facilitates intimacy with God and helps us grow spiritually. This means, personal morning devotion goes beyond saying few prayers and scanning through a devotional guide. An effective quiet time involves keeping a journal to record unique moments during the spiritual experience.
Hence, if you want to step up your morning quiet time with God, you are in the right place. This article offers useful tips to make your quiet time more effective and enriching.
What is Quiet Time Journal?
This is a diary book where you can record your daily devotional experiences and reflections. A typical quiet time journal template has a calendar, and a few spaces for notes taking.
Speaking of Quiet time, however, it is usually a time of deep connection to spirituality in the morning. According to Keith Newman (1997), “it includes conscious study and expressive prayer; a quiet time is a time of open-minded listening and waiting for guidance.” As such, it is an activity that involves praying, Bible study, meditation, reflection, and listening to God’s voice. This is equally the time God reveals his plans and purpose for our lives. Hence, there are usually striking moments you will want to keep and cherish within the memory of your life.
Does that explanation convince you about journaling your morning devotion? Well, let’s find out five important reasons you need to keep a quiet time journal and make every moment with God memorable.
5 Reasons to Journal in Quiet Time
1. Organisation
Decorum is one of the major prerequisites to hear from God. The standard Jesus established for quiet time in Mark 1:35 is quietness. This principle helps to create a sense of alertness and maintain consciousness during our fellowship with God. Consider yourself a student with a pen and blank paper, waiting to learn from a teacher. Similarly, journaling helps us to be open-minded and receive instructions from God.
2. It Boosts Consistency
Although not everyone likes to keep a journal, taking records of your personal devotion will definitely help to boost your consistency. A spiritual diary might be an excellent way to start if you struggle to keep up with your quiet time routine. It will serve as an encouragement to build a habit of talking to God every morning. With a simple plan, you can improve on your spiritual life and keep track of your performance.
3. It Encourages Self-Reflection
Glossing over the Bible or devotional guide is a common practice among many Christians today. If you belong to this group of people, we dare say you have been practising quiet time the wrong way. The reason many people complain God does not speak to them is because of impatience. God’s word is like “hot” food. It is ever new and refreshing; thus, you should not consume it in a hurried manner.
During the morning quiet time, self-reflection is very important. Thus, keeping a devotional diary helps to identify one’s strengths and weaknesses, untie knotty issues and gain new perspectives. So, when you study the Bible, ponder on the message and jot down reflective questions. Also, note bible verses and quotes that relate to you, so that you can refer to them during emergencies. Also, this activity will further give you spiritual therapy.
4. It Monitors Spiritual Growth
Journals serve different purposes. But the primary reason for keeping a journal as a quiet time resource is to monitor your growth. It is good to set goals and achieve them, and the spiritual journal is a great tool to help you keep an eye on your performance. It will prompt you to improve on grey areas you identify earlier, and be a better Christian by the day.
You can keep track of your spiritual growth by following these suggestions:
- Write down dates
- Summarise your spiritual encounter (e.g salvation, spirit baptism, etc)
- Include unpleasant experiences
- Keep tag of your testimonies
5. It Fosters Intimacy with God
The ultimate goal of regular quiet time observance is building intimacy with God. When you keep a quiet time journal, you will further strengthen your relationship with God, ride on a smooth journey with him.
You may like to read more on devotionals
4 FAQs About Quiet Time Journal
1. What is Quiet Time Activity?
Quiet time activity includes observing prayers and personal Bible study with God. It is an activity that aims at improving your intimacy with God and helping you grow spiritually. Marked by quietness, quiet time is usually in the morning; It is a time to commune with God, to commit your daily activities to His hands and also release yourself into His care.
2. What are Quiet Time Materials?
Quiet time materials include resources to conduct and improve your daily devotion with God. These are the Bible, a journal, a daily devotional guide, songs of praise or hymn book, alarm watch, and more.
3. What is a Quiet Time Journal?
A quiet time journal is a daily devotional material used to write self-reflection questions, inspirational quotes, prayer points, or bible verses that strike you as useful during morning prayers and Bible study. It has many benefits, which include fostering consistency, organisation, spiritual growth monitoring, and others.
4. How Do You Start a Quiet Time Journal?
To record your quiet time experience, buy a spiritual journal and a pen in a local store or via online stores. Observe your quiet time with a mind to receive instructions, insights, or hear directly from God. Take note of striking Bible verses, quotes, and self-reflection questions. Mark your prayer requests and testimonies. Monitor your spiritual growth through your diary and set achievable goals to improve your spiritual life.
The best time to start journaling your quiet time activity is now!
Read Also: Fasting and Prayer (Top Tips, Useful Materials, and Benefits)
Conclusion
We cannot overemphasise the benefits of keeping a quiet time journal. It is a valuable tool that is essential for Christian growth. As a firm believer in quiet time, we encourage you to make the most of your interaction with God by keeping notes of your devotion with Him.
