I know some people may be put off by the idea of writing in a Bible, much less making art in one. I have always been taught to respect books and handle them with care, but I was also taught that the Bible is a book meant to be used, read, marked up and truly lived in.
Yes, the Bible is special as it is filled with the Word of God. However, I agree with the saying that a Bible that is worn out and falling apart belongs to a person who is not. Bible journaling helps me to internalize the Word of God. I spend more time with a passage that I journal as opposed to one that I only read. I turn my chosen passage over and over in my mind to find what it means to me and discover an image to go with the thought. As a result, the passage sinks into my brain and I memorize it without effort and it really becomes a part of me.
Researching today’s verse, Matthew 5:13-16, and imagery to go with it lead me to a gem of a blog post by Rebekah Jones. I love how she writes about having God in us flavoring our interaction with the world, that as Christians we have a lot to offer and make the world a better place.
She also links to a post for the rest of the verse, that we are to be light. Of course, we Christians have an obligation and privilege to be lights for others by witnessing for Christ and spreading the Good News. This can be scary, especially if you are a shy introvert like me. Thankfully, we have the Holy Spirit abiding within us to help. It also means making some decisions the world will think are foolish. Take Faithworks Art Studio and this blog, for example. Prevailing business wisdom is to never mix religion or politics with business. However, as a Christian I feel I am driven and called to express my faith and not hide it away from the public eye. After all, in Matthew 10:33 Christ states: “But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.” If I am ashamed of or deny Christ, He will be ashamed of and deny me before God. I would rather be upfront about my faith and lose readers than lose salvation….
How does your faith fit into your life? Are you being salt and light?
Witnessing might sound scary but remember, faith works!!
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