How to Keep a Journal like Gordon MacDonald

Through reading biographies Gordon MacDonald observed that many godly men throughout the centuries kept journals.  So out of curiosity of whether or not journaling had anything to do with godliness he decided to start one himself.

Obstacles

• He felt self-conscious.
• He worried he would lose the journal.
• He worried somebody might read his journal.

Donald reflects,

“Slowly the self-consciousness began to fade, and I found myself sharing in the journal more and more of the thoughts that flooded my inner spirit.  Into the journal went words describing my feelings, my fear and sense of weakness, my hopes, and my discoveries about where Christ was leading me.  When I felt empty or defeated, I talked about that too in the journal.” (MacDonald pg 131)

Rewards

• Fears and struggles can not remain inside his mind without definition.  Through journaling they are confronted.
• He sees that God’s Holy Spirit leads many of his thoughts/insights that he writes.
• Through paper and ink God helps him search his heart.
• When spoken prayers didn’t seem to be enough MacDonald finds that at times it is better to write them out in his journal.

How To Journal

MacDonald admits that he is not an expert in journal keeping (I beg to differ).  He says the  following are not necessarily the best ways to keep a journal, they are just what he does.

• Use spiral notebooks.  They are small enough that he finishes one in 3 months time.  If he was to lose one it would not be as great a lose if he were to lose a whole years journaling.
• He writes in his journal almost everyday.
• Choose the time of day that is best for you.
• He records the following: accomplishments of the day, people he has met, new things he has learned, feelings he has experienced, and impressions he believes God wanted him to have.
• At times he writes his prayers.
• Insights from the Bible or other spiritual books.
• Observations about personal behavior.

“All of this is part of listening to God.  As I write, I am aware that what I am writing may actually be what God wants to tell me.  I dare to presume that His Spirit is often operative in the things I am choosing to think about and record.  And it becomes important to search my heart to see what conclusions He may be engendering, what matters He wishes to remind me about, what themes He hopes to stamp upon my private world.” (MacDonald pg 134)

Prayer List

In the front of the spiral notebook is his journal but in the back he works his way to the middle with his prayer list.  His list includes those to whom he is most committed.

Spiritual Inspirations

Also starting from the back while working his way to the center of the journal MacDonald will copy down inspirational quotes that he has read from the Bible or saintly Christian authors.

Ultimate Benefit

“The main value of a journal is as a tool for listening to the quiet Voice that comes out of the garden of the private world.  Journal keeping serves as a wonderful tool for withdrawing and communing with the Father.  When I write, it is as if I am in direct conversation with Him.  And there is that sense that in the words that you are led to write, God’s Spirit is mysteriously active, and communion at the deepest level is happening.” (MacDonald pg 136)

External Links

• Ordering Your Private World
• Thomas Nelson bio
• Good Reasons to Journal

Do you keep a journal?  What benefits have you observed?

David is a missionary to Germany. He serves at the Christusgemeinde and his main focus is follow-up work with the Let's Start Talking ministry.

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