Bible journaling is something that I just started seeing a lot of recently. Maybe it has been around for a while but I feel like my Pinterest is blowing up with it right now. What is Bible journaling? Well, it may not be quite what you think it is. It's not simply writing down verses and truths that God is revealing to you during your study time, whether in a journal itself or in the side margins of your bible. It could be termed more accurately as "Bible Art." People use their Bibles as a canvas to express how they feel or to show what truth has been revealed to them through different mediums like colored pencils, paint, markers, etc. All one must do is simply type in "Bible Journaling" into the Pinterest search bar and a flood of beautiful, colorful and inspiring pieces of art work proclaiming God's truth are splashed across your screen. They truly are beautiful to look at and at once make you want to compulsively grab some pens and start going to work on your own Bible. But, should that be your first instinct? Should there be any more thought about it? I would like to take a minute to explain why I think there should be some more thought put into this topic before we all grab our paints and markers and begin plotting out our next piece of art. I'm going to challenge you to ask yourself two questions before you begin Bible Journaling. #1 WHY?
I want you to ask yourself why you are about to do what you are about to do. Why are you drawing or writing this specific thing? Is it something that God has been truly revealing to you and teaching you? Sometimes I believe we like certain verses or phrases or thoughts and ideas about God because they apply to what we want. But, is it actually something God is really wanting you to see or hear or is it just tickling your ear? Along, with that, why is it that you feel the need to do this explanation of what God is showing you in art form? Is it something you can't quite put into words? Maybe you want to show what's in your mind rather than write it. That's valid. But what makes you want to show that on your Bible? Why does the "journaling" have to take place on the pages? And finally, why are you deciding to use so much time during your quiet time with the Lord to paint and decorate the page in your Bible, when you could be journaling out with a pen and paper what this verse means to you, what it shows about God, what it shows about life, how you want to apply it, and even pray over it? Whew. Now, I hope I'm not coming across too harsh. I hope I'm not sounding too critical. I sincerely want us to ask ourselves these questions. I have thought about Bible journaling before and I believe a little alarm in my head went off before I took it any further. I know there are people who do this and are blessing God dearly with their talent and worship as they use the gifts He gave them to create a beautiful reminder of God's truth. I know we have freedom to worship and spend time with God in the way we see fit and I'm so grateful we do. But I also know that God looks at the heart and we must make sure our hearts are in the right place before we can label something as "worship" to our God. Which leads me to my next question (I know it's more of a series of questions). This question could give a lot of insight to the ones above too: #2 FOR WHO? Alright, this is about to get sticky, but remember, I'm trying to help us think a little deeper, to use discernment. For whom are we doing this Bible journaling? Are you doing this Bible journaling in the comfort of your home and using it to spend time with the Lord or do you find yourself tempted to take a picture of it on your cell phone and post it on social media? If the answer is yes, then I challenge you to double check your motive. Are you doing this to truly exalt the Lord or are you doing this to show your artistic ability or your spirituality? Shouldn't our time with the Lord be a quiet, personable and intimate time? Should it involve showcasing what we had to do with it? Does you posting your artwork point to God or does it point to something about you? I know these questions are uncomfortable and I'm not meaning to take away any of the fun, but I am meaning to, again, make us think deeply about our actions. We must be checking our motives. It helps us to have a purer heart. I know I have done things that point to me more than they point to God. I know that I have wanted glory for something that really should have been God's glory. I know that sometimes my good intentions are deceptively coated with selfish motives. But I don't want that! I don't want to give Satan a foothold in the door. I don't want to be caught off guard. I don't want to have to be asked about that when I stand before God someday. So, my sisters and brothers, I urge you to ask yourselves these tough questions and consider them before you take the art (pun) of Bible journaling into your own hands. And if you address this with God and your heart and you get a green light then, by all means, go and worship your heart out by Bible journaling!! That is so awesome that you get to use your talents for that purpose. But, if you're like me and had to answer these questions only to realize there was no point to carry on with it (Bible journaling) after all, then I urge you to avoid it and find other ways to glorify God with your art and worship! Alright, those are my "two" questions! If if you have any thoughts or things to add to this, I would love to hear from you. Please remember that I am not trying to attack anyone or judge anyone, I'm simply trying to "keep watch" and encourage all of us to "keep watch". :)
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About Me:Hello! I'm Roxy. Enjoy reading my thoughts as I strive to understand God's character and truth and admonish it faithfully to His church. Please email at [email protected] with inquiries. Archives
September 2018
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