As I began my Bible Journaling journey, I found myself obsessively scrolling through Pinterest, Google, and Instagram to get ideas for pages. I was making shopping lists of supplies, collecting folders and pinboards full of ideas, and honestly – spending more time looking at the work of others than actually making any pages myself!
One day I came upon a page on Pinterest that I haven’t been able to relocate (and I believe that’s by God’s design!) – and it stopped me in my tracks. It was stunning. It was a flock of sheep meandering across the page, very big ones close up and the whole flock fading into the distance. The Shepherd was in the foreground too, walking among the sheep. It. Was. Spectacular. Have I told you I really loved it?
I loved it too much.
I wanted to replicate it. Exactly. I kept it in my browser and kept looking at it, trying to figure out how she created it and how I could make it. And the Holy Spirit had a few words for me about all that.
I had lost my focus; I was more concerned with the art and not so much with the Word! The Lord said I was to fast from looking at more Bible journaling on the internet; He wanted me to spend my time with Him, not trying to be someone else. He wanted our relationship to grow, and I had become only concerned with how beautiful I could make my pages, and (gasp) how many likes I garnered. Talk about a gut-check.
I was obedient, and spent a few years in the glorious wilderness with Jesus. I wasn’t shopping for kits and stamps and mediums anymore. I wasn’t buying all the stickers and clips and tabs because everyone else had them. But I also was no longer comparing myself with the pages everyone else was making. I was spending time with the Lord, seeking what He was telling me – and then figuring out how to illustrate that.
Long story short, I finally made my own sheep page, 2 years after that day I saw the amazing page. It took me quite some time to complete, and much of it was done on a cross-country flight (great witness opportunity!). But I actually liked my flock page much better than that page in my distant memory; mine required only watercolor pencils and a baby wipe, created in my Interleaved Bible with blank pages between each printed page.
I had discovered “my” style after all that time: simple. Artistic and complex at times, but simple in its recipe: time, a simple medium, and Jesus. I’ve shared my recipe with others, in my books on this site, in my classes, and in my YouTube videos.
So how do you find out your style? I’d suggest a visit to the wilderness with Jesus. He might take you there and show you how to use all the supplies you’ve collected in your own unique way. He may have you put some things down, and pick up others. Let Him show you what your way is, both as an artist and a child of God in relationship with the Father you love. Your process for coming up with an idea for a page is unique. Your execution of it is unique. Focus on what God is telling you, let Him be your Teacher – and your style will emerge.
So wise! Thank you for sharing Sandy. Beautiful pages! May God richly bless you this year.
You described exactly what I’ve done since learning about Bible art journaling. Hours on Pinterest, buying every supply mu friends have so I’ll be equipped for anything, pricey debo kits hoping to be inspired and have done only a few of my own pages in nearly two years. Thank you so much for this! It’s time for me to head into the wilderness. I had prayed about this just a few days ago. Your post was the answer I needed. Thank you. God bless you.
Wow. I can relate to what you said. Very convicting! I have much too ponder. Thank you for the enlightenment.
I LOVE this! I too have been guilty of watching and looking at far more than doing. While I encourage the ladies who attend my Bible Journaling grouo to remember that it is not about the art but connecting with the Lord through His Word, I have been prompted in my spirit during this break that we have to really work out what that means and it starts with me. Only once I submit to living this will I be able to share it and encourage the others to do the same. Thank you for sharing this Sandy.
I love this page and because I’m not artistic it doesn’t allow me to create such beauty. This page brought to mind one of my favorite scriptures, Psalms 121. I love that scripture whole-heartedly.
One day I hope to create a page that does that scripture justice.
Wow, this is amazing! Thank you for sharing. I am a hobbyist photographer. I find that I am browsing my favorite FB groups looking at other photographers work and saying I can never be that good. I need to take time to listen to God and let him be my teacher. Thank you for this wonderful post.
Thank you so much! This is just what I needed! This is exactly where I’ve been…hours spent on Pinterest saving page ideas, so much money buying supplies my friends have so I’m equipped to do anything, but very few pages of my own done in the past year. I’m always stuck on what to do on a page. I want to do the art because that’s fun, but don’t know what to do and all of that takes the focus away from the scripture and the time with God, the real intent. I’ve been praying about this and actually thought there was something wrong with me. It helps to know I’m now alone and that what I need is to venture into the wilderness. Here I go!
Hi Sandy, yes that was very relatable. I find if I have little time I just watercolour some verses that are already printed in my Bible, it helps me relax and is something I enjoy doing. The Lord knows how little time I get to myself. I love to see what others have done and in my own time I love to do some sketches but I need to set time aside for this. I think the Lord will be happy just to know that I love to spend what time I have with him. Xxx
Great article. Thank you for sharing. I also am guilty. Currently though I have been working on a study and am finding myself branching out better on my own. For me it takes inspiration and continually working at it to get to my own place. I am great-full for the sharing for inspiration to begin and then to make it my own.
Oh my goodness! That’s where I am still camped out. I did the inside front cover of one of my journaling Bibles (I have three) and was so anxious about how it would look that I haven’t done any more. But . . . I have an amazing Pinterest board
Love this! And so true, sometimes we compare oursellvesbwith others and try to imitate them just because it looks nice or beautiful and we forget and lose focus on God. We fail to see the purpose He has set for us.
Wow Sandy! Wise, insightful words said with encouragement, kindness and love. Keep listening to God. Thankyou for sharing. ..Your page is stunning as usual too. xx
Me, too! I love the art but have become stymied with wanting to create something beautiful. Taking some time to toss that aside and see what God has for me.
I needed the time of scrolling and making copies, but I learn to make my own designs. Still using examples by drawing photos exactly with the help of my lightbox. But the sort of photo(s) is my /Gods choice in what kind of story or verse in the bible… I hope my english is readable…
Thanks for sharing, Sandy.
As a beginner in Bible journaling, I feel blessed to have read your article. It helps me to keep my focus on the right thing: my relationshionship with the Lord while searching for my own unique style of art.
Beautiful and heartfelt thoughts, Sandy. Thank you for sharing from your heart. It is so encouraging to me, and I’m sure to so many others, to see that I/we are not alone. We all feel ‘less than’ at times, and struggle with ideas and implementation of them once we get them. I just finished a page, and it took me all afternoon to draw, color, and journal it. But I didn’t care; I was spending that time in prayer and fellowship with the Lord, and it felt so good. Was the artwork spectacular? No, definitely not. But, the time spent was priceless. And that’s where it’s at for me. I have said it before, but I do want to thank you for your fabulous classes on Bible journaling, particularly the Seeing the Scriptures class. I tell everyone about it.
Thank you Sandy. I too was on that journey. But then God put your book and the class, ” Seeing the Scriptures” in the middle of my path and I made a right turn. The way the class is designed- that you do your own research and study BEFORE the video, has brought a total change for me and Bible Journaling. At first I was nervous “going it alone” so to speak. But after doing a coulple verses- oh my. I love the study, the researching, digging deeper into the verse- truly seeking to “see” the scripture and to ‘Hear’ what God is saying to me. I am truly spending more time with God, instead of worrying over the art and I am making so many amazing discoveries about God’s word and His character and His love- I get excited about doing the studying! Then the most amazing thing happens- when I get to the end of the studying- He always gives me a clear picture and then I begin the artful expression of what he’s taught me. I am not an artist- but God is creating something wonderful with in me and he helps me, shows me how to put it on the bible pages. He reminds me that I am creating a gift for my grand children that will inspire them to draw closer to him. That class made all the difference! Thank you Sandy. God’s good blessing be upon you and every student who takes that course.