Spiritual Mile Markers

One of the benefits I have gained from years of journaling is a record of spiritual mile markers. What is a spiritual mile marker? I think of them as a particular point in one’s life when you learned a valuable lesson about God and His character.

In the book of Joshua, we observe the Israelites make a pile of stones as a memorial. It could be called a spiritual mile marker. Why? Because God had demonstrated his faithfulness to the Israelites and the people were instructed to do this to remember.

When all the nation had finished passing over the Jordan, the Lord said to Joshua, “Take twelve men from the people, from each tribe a man, and command them, saying, ‘Take twelve stones from here out of the midst of the Jordan, from the very place where the priests’ feet stood firmly, and bring them over with you and lay them down in the place where you lodge tonight.’” Then Joshua called the twelve men from the people of Israel, whom he had appointed, a man from each tribe. And Joshua said to them, “Pass on before the ark of the Lord your God into the midst of the Jordan, and take up each of you a stone upon his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the people of Israel, that this may be a sign among you. When your children ask in time to come, ‘What do those stones mean to you?’ then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So these stones shall be to the people of Israel a memorial forever” (Joshua 4:1-7, ESV).

Unmarked blessings and victories are quickly forgotten.

A memorial is anything intended to preserve the memory of a person or event. We can lose sight of who God is and what he has done. God’s character never changes. We need to remind ourselves and others of that truth. Whether you journal, mark a date in your Bible, create a unique memento or make a pile of stones, the objective is the same. Do these things to remember who God is, what he has done, and continue telling others when they inquire.

My journals have many mile markers or memorials. When I reread entries from long ago, I find the times God showed me he is faithful. I experience renewed reason for praise. My spirit is refreshed by observing growth due to HIS love and grace.

Dear reader, do you have a particular way that you make memorials—spiritual mile markers?

Prayer
Dear Father God, journaling has been so good for me. Great things come from writing out my thoughts to You. I gain a fresh perspective by the process of reading the last few entries and seeing where You have guided me, how a circumstance has changed or having a record of answered prayer. Thank You for the Spirit’s continuous work in me.

Keep refining me, Lord. I have so much to learn. Grant me Your wisdom and grace. Cause me to pause each day, aligning priorities with Your agenda rather than mine. Create in me a servant’s heart, ready and willing to obey at the sound of Your voice. Thank You for Your faithfulness. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Half-mile marker image by Jake Heckey from Pixabay.
Stones image by Ted Browning from Pixabay.