Journaling For Lent
Journaling has been a great tool in my own spiritual growth. Lent as a preparation for Easter is a great time to make use of a journal to record our reflections as we focus on the problem of our sin and the depth of Jesus work on the cross.
In this post, we will take a quick look at the benefits of journaling as a spiritual discipline and how journaling can play our role in our celebration of Lent
Lent: A Brief Overview
Lent is a 40 day period prior to Easter that Christians carve out to focus on fasting, prayer, self-reflection and repentance of our sin in perpetration to celebrate Eater.
I have learned over the years that as I have realized how horrible and dark my sin actually is the more beautiful is Jesus selfless act of dying on the cross and the power in his resurrection. And Jesus did all this so my sins might be forgiven. Because of the cross, sin is no longer a barrier between my relationship with God.
This year, 2021, Lent begins on Wednesday (Ash Wednesday) February 17th and ends on Holy Saturday April 3rd – The Saturday before Easter Sunday.
Sunday’s are not counted as part of the 40 days
My purpose is not to give a large amount of detail on Lent. If you need more background, check out my post, Why You Should Celebrate Lent This Year, Or check out the video by Tim Wildsmith, Lent 101
Why Journal for Lent
There are a lot of ways to celebrate Lent, but as a small part I want to encourage you that between now and Easter that you keep a journal specifically for Lent. If you already journal, you can use the same notebook you have and just make specific entries. I will be using my bullet journal, and I already have a practice of taking time most days to journal my thoughts for the day. I will just add journal entries for Lent. Of course, you can keep an electronic journal but I find it helpful to put pen to paper.
Journaling for spiritual growth is always about creating a regular space in your life to reflect. – Marc Alan Schelske
Journaling doesn’t have to take up a lot of time. Just take a moment each day and carve out a few moments. Even if all you have is five or ten minutes, take the time to clear out all the distractions. Turn off your phone! Take a moment to pray then write. Don’t make any judgements and don’t worry about the grammar or the flow. Simply write from your heart.
Your journal is a place where you actively, intentionally, bring your life before God…. – Marc Alan Schelske
Lent Journaling Ideas
What you write is totally up to you. There are no set rules. But here are just a few suggestions.
Write down any thoughts that seem to be a distraction. This helps you unpack your brain so you can focus more. Then take a moment of gratitude.
What are you grateful for?
Now comes the hard part. Ask God to reveal the sin in your own life. This is one of the main purposes of Lent. What are the sins you battle daily? What do you still struggle with? Write it down. The realization of sin becomes clear when we look at them written out on paper. Be honest!
This is not about creating feelings of shame or condemnation but being honest with God.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. – 1 John 1:9 (CSB)
Next take a moment to reflect on Jesus on the cross. What does that mean to you? It is through the work of the cross that we are forgiven. So ask for forgiveness and let God’s grace, mercy and forgiveness wash over you.
Make a conscious recognition by writing out that you receive and stand in God’s forgiveness. Ask for the strength to stand against sin. Write out any additional prayers you have. Finish with thanksgiving.
Journaling is a way of slowing life down for just a few moments, and trying to process at least a sliver of it for the glory of God, our own growth and development, and our enjoyment of the details. – David Mathis
Whether or not you already have a regular rhythm of journaling, I want to challenge that over the next 40 days of Lent, carve out some time each day to journal your thoughts and reflections on the depth of Jesus work on the cross. Maybe you are reading this and Lent has come and gone. That is ok, just set aside the next 40 days.
Let me know in the comments how you will journal during Lent.
Until next time …… Be strong and courageous.
Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible Copyright 2020 by Holman Bible Publishers, Used by permission, Christian Standard Bible and CSB are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers
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