Yes, writing can be a spiritual discipline. After all it is a mode of expression and synthesis of knowledge. I started deliberately writing down my thoughts and the things I learnt as a regular practice about 5 years ago. It started as a required exercise in a spiritual formation course - something I have continued to do since. I write down not only what I learn from scripture, but also short spontaneous prayers, quotations from books that have spoken to me, dreams and words from the Lord to me and so on. It is important to date what is written.
It is a useful practice because
- It clarifies my thinking (as you mentioned) because it forces me to delineate my thoughts and concepts. I also find that newer insights come as I write, rather than just when I think.
- It acts as a written record which I can always go back to - a treasure that I can dip into in dry times, in times of confusion and when I need to speak to someone.
Matthew 13:52 - And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”
- Yes, like you mentioned, it also opens up avenues to share the material with others.