The Importance of Writing Things Down
We previously talked about reading the Bible on a regular basis (with tips here and how to stop spiritual cramming here). In this post, I’d like to take that a step further and share about the importance of writing things down. It’s a good idea to keep a journal or notebook for taking notes during our quiet times and even during church. For a lot of people, they know writing things down is helpful and that it’s probably a good idea (much like reading the Bible on a regular basis), but they still neglect to do it merely for the hassle or inconvenience of it. I’d like to discuss why the benefits of writing things down might outweigh the disadvantages of it.
Writing things down helps the information sink in…
Writing things down takes listening and reading a step further. The simple act of writing forces us to think about what it is that we are hearing or reading and then reiterating that or abbreviating that onto paper. When we take notes it helps us to recall the information later. How many times have you written a list only to find out that you didn’t even have to refer to it? But try not writing that same list, and chances are that you will forget many of the items. It’s almost a catch-22. The process of writing things down will help you to remember what it is that you’ve written. Skip the notes and potentially forget—with an added disadvantage of having nothing to refer back to if you’ve forgotten. Which brings me to the next benefit…
Writing things down gives you something to reference…
Overall, the purpose of taking notes is to key in on the important information that we need to remember and to use as a future reference. We need to write things down to remember—even for those with a good memory. Look at what the following scriptures say about writing things down and remembering…
“…the Lord instructed Moses, “Write this down on a scroll as a permanent reminder…” Exodus 17:14 (NLT)
“This says the Lord, the God of Israel: Write all the words that I have spoken to you in a book.” Jeremiah 30:2 (AMP)
“Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced” Psalm 105:5 (NIV)
“Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits” Psalm 103:2 (ESV)
If we are being told to “remember” and “forget not”, then apparently it is possible to forget. Writing things down will serve as a reference for those things that we may have forgotten.
I’ve also heard it said that writing things down can also give the Holy Spirit something to work with—a reference of sorts. In John 14:26 it says that the Holy Spirit will “remind” us. Taking notes will act as a reference to which the Holy Spirit may even trigger us to go back and look.
“But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.” John 14:26 (NLT)
