On one hand, it is easy for me to share why I Bible Art Journal, because I've experienced the benefits including: praying and asking God to speak to me through Scripture, intentionally looking at the meaning of the passage, drawing imagery out of the meaning of the text, taking the time to blend creative art making and meditation...

On the other hand, I want to add a disclaimer. Sometimes I am intentional about not doing Bible Art Journaling. I choose not to Bible Art Journal when: making the artwork distracts me from my relationship with God, I feel pressured to "do" it more than to "be" with God, I find myself comparing in any way with someone else, and I simply don't have time because sometimes "life" happens and gets messy.

Psalm 25 finished Bible Art Journaling Page

The important thing for me is not to fall into the performance and perfectionism trap. It just makes me feel bad about myself. In the above photo, the green splotch on the left reminds me not to strive to be perfect, but work toward excellence. When I am ready to put pen and paint to that green splotch part of my Art Journaling Bible, I will know. For now, I must still need the reminder :)

Psalm 25 ready for paint, with the word study to the right. 

Psalm 25, painted with word study. I used https://www.biblegateway.com/ and https://www.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm for my word study.

What pulls me back into Bible Art Journaling is simple: The love of God. When I don't do it for awhile, I miss spending time with Him in that way, doing art together, praying, focusing on what God is saying to me through the Bible. Bible Art Journaling usually sets an atmosphere of peace and flow of the Spirit for me. It is one way I listen to God, respond, play like a child, feel inspired, and dig deeper into meaning. Bible Art Journaling is a tangible way where in the physical realm, words, pages, pen, pencils and paint can reflect the spiritual life and relationship.

My prayer written into the Bible Journaling, based on the Scripture text

It seems so amazing to me that the Scripture I spend time with becomes more relevant as my daily life unfolds. Asking God to show me His ways and His path are critical right now. I need wisdom. In the past few weeks I have felt overwhelmed, even dropped the ball on a few things etc. I am humbly coming into His presence asking for what He has promised in Psalm 25, to instruct and show me like the flow of water, like the shooting of an arrow to the mark. I am grateful He loves me that much.

If I were to give any advice about doing Bible Art Journaling, I would say, ask God, then take the time to listen. Take the pressure off yourself to make it look like anyone else's. Try to let go of expectations, focusing on the relationship and process rather than the product or someone else's agenda. If ideas and imagery start to come to mind, then act on those, and enjoy the creative flow with God who loves you!