To Review or Not to Review? How to Know if Monthly or Yearly Reflection is Worth Your Time

I’m the type that writes thoughts on sticky notes. I scribble down an idea in a notebook, and it becomes the only notebook I can’t find in the house. It’s how I operate right now, but it’s not how I want to continue.

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Earlier this week I sat down at my desk to sort through my inbox, Evernote, and scratch paper piles. I came across an audio file I had recorded a few weeks ago. I began listening, and as I listened, I typed out my words (in a safe place where I surely won’t lose them). The more I typed, the more I became inspired. The recording was the result of a rare drive across town without my kids. I spoke about my love of writing, my delight in Jesus and what he has done, and for sharing those passions with others.

After ten minutes, I remembered with clarity why I do what I do. I felt motivated to work on my new project (a monthly newsletter, sign up below!), and I felt relief—relief that these words weren’t lost at the bottom of a pile or accidentally deleted.

I’m guilty of believing myself too busy to look over the past day’s/week’s/month’s work. I’m also guilty of doubling my efforts, searching for something I already have, or writing on the same topic twice (see here and here for two discussions on the same passage of Scripture).

If I learned anything from the transcription of my audio note it is this—reviewing helps us remember and remembering the past gives us motivation for the future.

A monthly or yearly review helps us #remember, and remembering the past gives us motivation for the future. #ThingsWorthRemembering Click To Tweet

3 Ways to Remember

1. Reading old journals. I love to write in my journal, but I rarely read past entries. This year, I’m creating a new monthly rhythm of reviewing past journal entries to identify recurring ideas and answered prayers.
2. Reviewing photos. With cameras in our pockets at all times, we take more pictures than ever before. We usually document happy moments, togetherness, and beauty in our photos. Take time to look back through your pictures, and allow them to encourage your heart and remind you of God’s good gifts.
3. Reading the Bible. We not only need to have knowledge of God’s faithfulness and goodness, we need to put in in front of our eyes everyday. As we remember his past record of faithfulness, we build trust and faith in him for our future.

Whether you’re one who already practices remembrance, or you’re one who would rather forget the past month or year, I want us to review, remember, and renew our eternal perspectives together. Ingraining this truth moves us forward in hope for all that is yet to come:

What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not; those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.

1 Corinthians 7:29-31 NIV (emphasis mine)

This is what it means to live our lives in light of eternity. As we reflect on the reality of our eternal lives, what once seemed important fades into the background. What once seemed too unimportant for our time and energy becomes the focus and treasure of our lives.

If you only reflect on one aspect of your life this week, let it be this: thanks to the life, blood, and resurrection of Jesus, you have hope for tomorrow and every day after.

Deciding

I titled this article with a choice—to review or not to review. If you decide not to reflect on your life regularly, the world won’t end (or if it does, it won’t be because you didn’t do a monthly review!) But our perspectives and worldviews are impacted by the information we choose to consume. How would your life change if you saw it as God does? How would your choices differ if you knew and believed they had eternal reverberations? You can find out starting today by asking God to let the truth of the 1 Corinthians passage soak into your spirit until it overshadows your current circumstances, whether they be good or bad.

If you’re ready for more, I recommend reading through the following list of Scriptures from Katie Bennett that show us what it means to have an eternal perspective:

45 Eternal Perspective Bible Verses

I recently heard Greg McKeown, author of Essentialism, say “Reminders aren’t needed because we forget something and need to remember it. We need the reminder so that the information sinks down to a deeper level.” 

Is it worth our time to remember that “the world in its present form is passing away”? (1 Cor. 7:31) I think you know I would answer with a resounding yes! Sit with that truth and let it sink down to a deeper level. If you have a few more minutes to spare, look back through those old journals, notes, and photos. Look at where you’ve been and where God is leading you. I think you’ll find he is molding and pruning you in preparation for your eternity together with him.

I’d love to know, is it part of your monthly or yearly rhythm to look back and review your life? How have you been encouraged by remembering the reality of your promised eternity with God? I’d love to hear in the comments!