I love to read other peoples’ diaries.

I may or may not have snuck a peak at a few over the years, but mostly I read other people’s published work. I once read all the diaries and letters of Anne Morrow Lindbergh and by the end, I felt like we were BFFs.

There’s nothing like a glimpse into the dark recesses of someone else’s heart and soul.

Keeping diaries is as old as time. In Genesis 5:1 we find, “This is the written account of Adam’s line.” In the next chapter we read, “This is the account of Noah.” Turn a few pages and there is another: “This is the account of Shem, Ham and Japheth, Noah’s sons.” And it continues on and on. Somebody was writing all this stuff down.

After the children of Israel were delivered out of Egypt, they wandered around the desert for 40 years. Even this was documented right there in Numbers 33.

“They left Kibroth Hattaavah and camped at Hazeroth.
They left Hazeroth and camped at Rithmah.
They left Rithmah and camped at Rimmon Perez….”

Not exactly riveting reading.
Why is this important enough to garner a whole chapter in the Holy Book?

Because God commanded Moses to record the stages in their journey. (Numbers 33:2)

Each of the 41 campsites in the desert was part of their story. Some places were memorable—like that campground with twelve springs and seventy palm trees (nobody forgot that place). Some were featureless and mundane. But they were real places where real people camped out and real people lived and died. The list of campsites in Numbers 33 is a testimony to the move of God in their lives.

Moses did a lot of writing for God,
but he was one of many who were called to use the gift of words.

God told Isaiah—
“Take a large scroll and write on it with an ordinary pen.” Is. 8:1
God told Jeremiah—
“Write in a book all the words I have spoken to you.” Jer. 30:2
God told Ezekiel—
“Write these down…so that the people may be faithful.” Ez. 43:11
An angel bellowed at the Apostle John,
“Write this down!” Rev. 21:5

I’m here to say
everyone should record the stages in their journey,
like Moses did.

I know, I know—
not everybody likes to write.

I’m only suggesting that you are an interesting person with a life story that might be more riveting than you think. You don’t have to report on every place you pitched a tent, but a few thoughts written down in a spiral notebook that reveal a little of your heart have the potential to impact future generations.

“Let this be written for a future generation,
that a people not yet created
may praise the Lord.”
Psalm 102:18