In the Beginning, God created the heavens and the Earth (Genesis 1:1)
God is an artist — that isn’t difficult to see. The Psalmist constantly is marveled by nature, how God formed it, and how it speaks of His love. Being formed in God’s image, I think we also have received some of His attributes, so I decided I would spend my devotions creating art with Him.
For as long as I can remember, I have had a passion for drawing, coloring, writing — all things creative, but I never thought to use these as a medium for devotions. One day, while scrolling through my Instagram page, I noticed that a friend posted a picture of her Bible. It was oddly square shaped and had large open margins on the sides of the pages. At the time, I thought this was perfect for annotating, which I already did on smaller Bibles.
I began using my new Journaling Bible for notes and devotional thoughts, but slowly gravitated towards writing verses that stood out to me within those margins. In time, I also added images that reminded me of what I read. As I continued journaling, the pages were no longer minute doodles and annotations but page-wide representations of what God was trying to communicate to me.
I spent more time on the pieces than I normally did in my devotions altogether. As a result, I dedicated more time to God, and my spirituality grew. With every stroke on the paper, I remembered the verse, ringing in my head. I prayed to God about the parts in my life where this verse applied. I made the verse mine and God’s — our special conversation that only we, as artists and friends, understood.
What surprised me most, however, was the blessing that came to others as well. I began posting devotional thoughts on Instagram along with the picture of the Bible page I did for the day. Followers of my page with whom I didn’t regularly talk were messaging me, relating their struggles through their own spiritual journeys, and discussing the verse I had posted for the day. No longer were my pages just personal treasures of truth. Others were being blessed as well.
From the beginning, just like it is written in Genesis, God created mankind to be relational, so that He could have a connection with His people. It has taken me time to realize that there is no “right way” to relate to Him. One of the amazing aspects about God is that He has multiple qualities — some of them being Friend, Protector, Savior, Companion and, in this case, Creator. As much as I stand in awe of my Redeemer King, I also can talk to Him, draw with Him, and remember the words He has spoken when I am journaling.
Art may not be the characteristic that is the most relatable for some, but there certainly may be another. Just like with a friend, find common pastimes and share them with God. From that overflowing love and joy found in communion with Him, you will certainly be a blessing to others, too!
