Stepping into My Story

southviewchurch.com

In 1989 when I landed back in Bellingham after a difficult season of ministry, I found myself with extra time on my hands.

I decided to use it to reconstruct my life up to that point utilizing a 3-ring notebook with plastic document protectors to hold my memorabilia. I gathered papers and items from my life to date and inserted them in chronological order into the notebook. The experience helped me gain perspective on my past and envision new chapters in my life to be written.

This summer, I decided it was time to update that notebook, but I found I needed an entirely new one to complete the task. I now have that second notebook completed, which picks up where the last notebook ended through the present time. Combined they include everything from my birth certificate to documents from schools I attended, ministries we have been a part of, newsletters and books we have published, and noteworthy letters from significant people who have influenced my life.

There are multiple reasons why life review is beneficial--whether you utilize 3-ring binders or another method. Here's what I found:

• Tracing the events and milestones of my life has helped me to remember where I’ve been and what I’ve done. 
• Recalling the past has helped me see God’s hand in my life through the various ages and stages.
• Reviewing the previous chapters of my life has helped me to envision what next chapters are yet to be written.
• Revisiting some of life's more painful experiences have contributed to resolving those issues and assimilating them into my total life experience.
  

Engaging in life review in my early 70’s feels much different than doing it in my 30’s, 40’s, or 50’s. At this stage of life, it feels less about what I’m doing next as it does gaining perspective on my life experiences. When I leaf through the two notebooks on my desk, they remind me how God has led us in each step of life’s journey.

Life review can be as complex or as simple as you choose to make it. I encourage you to start with a simple approach and then proceed to something more complex. You may even end up writing your autobiography, as my uncle did several years ago. Contact us for a conversation about how you can benefit from a structured process.

In the end, however, I am reminded of Paul’s words in Philippians 3:13b-14:

Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has
called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Read an expanded version of Richard's story on Re-Ignite.