Why I Blog

I get asked fairly often why I blog. Blogging takes time, and I am already a busy guy. How do I have time to blog – or better – why do I make time to blog?

Well, when I started blogging in 2012, I was looking for an online platform where I could regularly speak truth into the lives within my sphere of influence. I wanted a place where I could share devotional thoughts, talk about how God is working in the world around us, etc.

While those aims are still a part of my blogging life, I share with people now that the blog has become my online public diary. I am writing what I am thinking about. I am writing about topics that have encouraged me. I am writing – with edification and encouragement in mind. I write for others, but I write so that I might be able to look back on what I have written and remember the spiritual journey I was on at the time.

In short, I blog for your benefit and for my record.

Blogging is a lot like the spiritual discipline of journaling. Well, I don’t know if I would call journaling a discipline like prayer is a discipline. But Donald Whitney in his book, on spiritual disciplines calls journaling a spiritual discipline. In that book, he gives 8 reasons that journaling has spiritual value (Ch. 11).

1. Journaling helps in in self-understanding and evaluation. He says when we think about the events of the day and write about them, we are more likely to think critically and thoughtfully about them.

2. Journaling helps us meditate. The act of writing could help the writer (or in this case, the blogger) dwell on the truths he/she is trying to capture.

3. Journaling helps in expressing our thoughts and feeling to God. It’s like recording a psalm, but without the inspiration of the Holy Spirit behind it. Journaling is honest; it is raw.

4. Journaling helps us remembers the works of God. As I said above, this may be the primary reason I blog. I want to remember what He was doing in my life 6 years ago so I can rejoice in His sanctifying of me (Eph 2:10; Phil 2:12-13).

5. Journaling helps create and preserve a spiritual heritage. My 3 boys don’t read my blog, as far as I know. But one day, they probably will. I want them to read it like an autobiography of me.

6. Journaling helps clarify and articulate insights and impressions. Again, I want to remember when the Lord makes a certain impression on me from His word. I want to remember so I can counsel, encourage and witness (I Pet 3:15).

7. Journaling helps monitor goals and priorities. When I write about a goal or tell people, “This is what I plan on doing,” I am inviting public accountability.

8. Journaling helps maintain other spiritual disciplines. When I know I will journal from Psalms or Proverbs on Monday (which is my normal pattern), I know that means I need to be reading in one or both of those books throughout the week. Blogging encouraging my Bible reading.

Whitney writes, “The logic of this practice [journaling] is inevitable once men have felt the urge to become molded in heart and life to the pattern of Christ. No one will keep a record of his inward groans, fears, sins, experiences, providences and aspirations unless he is convinced of the value of the practice for his own spiritual progress. It was this very conviction which made it a commonplace practice in earlier times. We suggest the practice should be revived and something needs to be said in its defense.” (pg. 206)

And that is why I blog (aka journal).