In the spring, a friend mentioned to me that she had heard about something called Bible Art Journaling and was trying it out. She said it was a way to infuse your devotional time with creativity and new life.
That Sounds Familiar…
I am on a journey to revive my devotional life. To fall back in love with spending time with Jesus. To feel drawn to reading, studying, and meditating on the word. So, I decided to check it out.
I googled it.
Holy Guacamole!
Totally did not expect to run head long into a movement. For reals, people. There are a ton of artists, non-artists, scrapbookers, and whoever else you can think of out there creating art right on the pages of their bibles. Some of it is stunning. Some of it is less than impressive. Somehow, I stumbled onto a website devoted to the subject called RebekahRJones.com. It is a fantastic blog filled with tutorial videos that include a devotion based on the scripture. Something Rebekah kept saying in multiple videos is this:
“The whole point is to get into the word of God. To connect with a good God. To meditate on His words. It doesn’t matter if the art is perfect. His word is transforming our minds.” –Rebekah R. Jones
Freedom. I could give this a try. Me. The one whose husband laughingly said once, “Your stick figures don’t even look like stick figures!”
Getting Started
So, I used some gift money that I had yet to spend to purchase a journaling bible and some micron pens and created a pinterest board of ideas I liked. (In the meantime, I learned that there is a gigantic community of people who do this at IllustratedFaith.com)
My bible arrived in the mail and I stared at it.
Where in the world am I supposed to start?
I was paralyzed by indecision and fear of messing up.
Then, one Sunday, our pastor at church preached on the prayer of Hezekiah in 2 Kings 19:14-19. For some reason, the passage came alive to me. I was captivated by the revelation in Hezekiah’s prayer that the Creator God, the humongous God of the Universe, hears me, sees me, and delivers me!
That Sunday, I created my first page with homemade gesso (thanks to youtube tutorials), my kids Crayola watercolors, and my micron pens.
Perhaps the Start of an Addiction…
As soon as I finished it, I wanted to do more.
But more than that I wanted to be able to do more.
I was seeing all these gorgeous artistic bible art journaling creations online, and I wanted to be capable of picturing an idea in my head and making it happen on paper. So, I set a goal.
Goal Setting Time – Woot! Woot!
GOAL: Over the summer, I will work on my drawing skills and become a better artist.
I bought a cheap sketchbook and googled “How to Draw” videos and tutorials. It is truly amazing how much you can learn from the internet when you put your mind to it. I also started finding bible art journaling pages on Pinterest that I liked and copied them.
A few weeks later I was creating pages from my own imagination and time in God’s word or inspiration from church sermons, like this one.
And this.
Even If You are Not an Artist
I am not an artist. The purpose of the color wheel eludes me. I have no idea what tools I am supposed to use for what purpose. I don’t know the lingo.
BUT, I took action, and God blessed it. He has helped me become better and has spoken to me through His word as I have spent time in it.
I know He is the one enabling me to create art because John 14:26 (NASB) says,
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.”
God’s Holy Spirit teaches us all things. Even non-artists can create art in their bibles because the Creator God can teach us.
I’ll keep on creating bible art journaling and I’m sure there will be a number of blog posts centered around something God shows me as I do. For right now, it is one more way I am realigning my life to be more Christ-centered.
If you would like more information on how to get started, click here!
Prayer:
Holy Spirit, thank You that You can and will teach us all things. Help us to take action, to step toward a life that is Christ-centered. Enable us to feel You run toward us with help, support, and all the knowledge we need. Creator God, open our eyes to the epic and inspiring beauty of your mercy and grace. Of Your bending down to meet one-on-one with us. Of Your incredible Word. In Jesus’ name, amen.