A Write to Remember

2Pet. 1:12-15 – Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me. Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.

2Pet. 3:1-2 – This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour…

In this post, I would like to share with you something that has been on my mind of late. Unlike the majority of the posts that I log, the primary purpose of this one is not going to be the exposition of any particular scripture passage nor the application of a devotional thought. Instead, I would simply like to encourage some of you that are so inclined to take up the habit of writing in your personal studies. Now I am not suggesting that everyone should run out and start their own blog or jump in head first to some massive undertaking such as writing a book or anything like that. A forum such as this one certainly allows for the cataloging and distribution of written content to a wide audience, but what I am talking about is not (necessarily) writing for the purpose of public consumption. Some folks are naturally better writers than other and some have received tailored education that suits them for that task, and I am certainly grateful for those men and woman who are able to effectively share their knowledge in this way.

What I am encouraging you to do is not to that end. Rather, I want you to consider taking time to express your studies and the thoughts that flow from them in a written form that may or may not be shared with others. While the task certainly is one that takes time, discipline and effort, the benefits of it to your own learning, as well as those to whom it may be given at a later date cannot be underestimated. The life that we live on earth is short in the grand scope of things, and over the course of our years we have many thoughts, many learning moments and many times in which we come to understand more about our God and ourselves as we study His word. While what is built within our inner man can never be taken away by physical death, the current thoughts, prayers and expressions of thanksgiving will cease when we die.

Isa. 38:18 - For the grave cannot praise thee, death can not celebrate thee…

Our lives as saints are not for ourselves, but for others. As members of Christ’s body, our care for the saints is to be effectual, and we are to edify one another in love that we may all come unto a perfect man. We are to labour together unto this end, and at the very least, we should desire that after [our] decease those good things that our God has taught us can live on for His praise and be always in remembrance for the edification of our brethren.

As I have said, perhaps it is not for you to publicly contribute in any way. That is a decision for your own judgment, but I would like to encourage you to at least privately catalog your journey and learnings in some form for your family, children and grandchildren. There is an opportunity for you to teach in this way, even if that ministry is confined to your own home. This is a way for you to preserve your mind beyond your death and impart to your successive generations the wisdom of God that means so much to you now.

We also have the added benefit of modern technology that so many generations before us did not have. There are so many methods of recording and cataloging our studies if we would just make proper use of them. Use a journal. Use a computer. Use a blog spot. Use a website. Whatever suits you, just start it now. Setup a free email account for your children/grandchildren and type out thoughts from your studies each day or each week and send it to that address. Leave the username and password in your lockbox or storage place to be given to them after you pass. It is those small, daily/weekly contributions recorded over time that may end up impacting them most after [your] decease. I speak of writing here, and I certainly think that is one of the best ways, but you might also consider audio and/or video recordings or any other form of technology that serves the purpose. Whatever you choose, just start compiling now for the benefit of others.

Not only will this be an act of service toward them, but it will also greatly enhance your own thought processes and studies for maximum benefit. I had a college English professor who I remember saying, “Writing is thinking” and I have found that she was certainly correct about that. As a personal testimony, I can say that writing does force you to dig deeper, to think longer and to continue refining your thoughts and studies until, at last, you can see the full picture more clearly. It will cause you to explain the text to yourself or it will show you that you unable to do so and are in need of continued work. It is admittedly an arduous process, but one that should not be underestimated nor substituted for.

Why not start today? Your life is a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away, but what you put on paper will outlive you and cause the saints in years to come to give thanks unto the Lord in whose presence you will then be.

2Pet. 2:15 – Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.