I enjoy rereading things that I wrote long ago. It’s an enlightening exercise. Sometimes it’s clear that my understanding of a particular subject has greatly expanded since I last wrote on it. At other times I realize I may have once felt more strongly about something than I now do.

Some people may believe it doesn’t matter all that much what they once thought. It is true that our current thinking defines who we are. But a blessing comes when we can identify patterns: Do we tend to get excited about things for short periods of time and then lose interest? (Matthew 13:20-21.) Do we focus on trivial things? (1 Corinthians 3:12-15.) Is our consecration slipping? (Hebrews 2:1—I’ve been told the original Greek for “let them slip” suggests “leaking out,” as with bag with holes in it.) Are we now kinder than we once were? (2 Peter 3:18.) These kinds of observations can help keep us on course towards improvement.

When we recognize patterns or trends in our thoughts, we are better equipped to deal with them. Of course, if we see mostly positive changes it would be foolish to let our guard down; better, we should resolve to continue on to new heights.

Just recently I was going back through old “Friends and Family” emails that I’ve written. I noted changes in length, style, and quality of writing. But more than that I saw how God led and how He provided for my needs, my need of understanding in particular, at just the right time. It is such a blessing to go back and see what things God revealed to you in the past. More often that not, I’ve found that the things God showed me long ago are the very things that I need to be reminded of now. God is always ahead of the game. (Example: Most of what you are now reading in this post was written about eight years ago, but never published. I just found it in my files.)

I have both a private personal blog, where I record both spiritual insights and general events, and obviously I also have this public blog that you are now reading. Both serve a useful place. Of course, someone doesn’t need a computer to journal; many people get along just fine with ink and paper, or a traditional diary. 

It seems that just about every eminent person over the last four or five centuries, including powerful religious figures, has kept a journal or diary. It is a time tested method, one used by the brightest and best. I highly recommend it.