We recently connected with Veronica Jara and have shared our conversation below.

Veronica, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

It has been a process of eight years, with many ups and downs, moments where I have felt super engaged and others where I have had to disconnect myself to find the path again.  With trial and error, I have learned what art supplies I like, and which ones work best in my Bible. Every Bible Journaler’s strong suit is different; some like to use mixed media, others like to take notes and highlight passages in their Bibles. There is no right or wrong way to Bible Journal.  The true meaning lies in having an open heart to the Word of God and allowing yourself to be creative.  Bible Journaling is not about the art, is about the heart.

I sometimes browse through my first Journaling Bible, and I get to see how much I have not only grown in knowledge of The Word, but also in art skills. My first lettering phrases were uneven, with crooked lines and unbalanced letters. My entries were simple, as at that time, I had started with very few art supplies. I remember searching for journaling ideas in Pinterest and Google to recreate in my Bible, and later feeling insecure or disappointed on how my attempts resulted, until I realized that comparing my journey to someone else’s was a big mistake and it was stealing the joy journaling was to gift me. I had to constantly remind myself to focus on the process of reflection and connection with Scripture, not on creating a masterpiece.

Making journaling a regular practice and being consistent in reading the Scripture, not only developed my creative skills but also deepened my spiritual journey.

Since I enjoy art supplies so much, I continued to try new art supplies whenever I had the chance. I exchanged supplies and ideas with friends who also Bible Journaled. I made best use of all the resources out there to help you learn how to Bible Journal- videos, tutorials, live feeds, workshops…. I joined a Bible Journaling group at my church that provided support, inspiration and encouragement. Later on, I was leading that same group once a month, hosting a group of around 25 people gathered to learn more about the Bible.

People often feel scared of engaging with any art form, and believe they have to be super creative in order to take part of any of it. This is so far from the truth. You are placing yourself as your own obstacle, and the enemy will use this mindset to attempt to push you away from spending this special time with your Creator.  Bible Journaling does not need to be a very elaborate entry. It can be just a word, a phrase, a picture, anything that will serve as a visual reminder of what God has spoken to your heart.  You don’t need to possess a certain skill set, all you need is an open heart to receive what God wants to tell you.

Also, there is no time-frame when it comes to God’s timeline.  There is nothing we can do to speed up the process.  His timing is perfect. He planned and designed every step that has taken me to where I am, like here today.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Journaling with Jara came to be, as eight years ago I felt a calling to read, study and share the Word of God. I can’ t recall how I originally stumbled upon Bible Journaling, but I do know I instantly fell in love with it, and I wanted to share that love with others.

People always described me as creative. Since I was a young girl I enjoyed playing with markers, crayons, paper and anything artsy; so learning that I could combine my creative side with this tug I had in my heart to develop a relationship with God felt like a gift from heaven. I was able to grow my faith that seemed to be “in the margin”.

If you were to ask people if they enjoy reading the Bible or if they can understand what they read at the first glance, most would probably answer a big “no”. At first, reading the Bible may seem overwhelming or boring, so you can easily be put off by it. I was one of those people. I struggled with being consistent in my reading plan, and I felt unmotivated to finish even one book of the Bible. Once I discovered Bible Journaling, everything changed.

Bible Journaling has been very helpful during challenging periods in my life, providing comfort and reassurance through the constant reminders of God’s promises and faithfulness documented in my journal. It has served as a tangible record of my faith journey.

Bible Journaling combines Bible reading and artistic expression that allows you to explore the meaning and relevance of Scripture in a personal, creative and engaging way. Every page created has a personal story, a meaning, a lesson, an inspiration, a testimony… is a visual reminder of that moment you spent with God reading The Word. With every page, there is always something new to discover about Jesus, about your purpose designed by God, and about your creative self. While you are being creative, you are also being blessed.

This creative tool has led me to develop a new and profound relationship with God, and my hope is I can inspire and encourage others around the world to discover the beauty and power of the Word of God in their own lives. I wish that the faith that might feel “in the margin” can grow and be developed in the margins of their Bibles.

I currently share bi-lingual Bible Journaling tutorials and entries in social media, both in English and Spanish, and share free printables in my website to help others in their journaling journey. I also offer Bible Journaling workshops.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Drawing closer to the heart of God has always been the main motivation for this ministry. The primary goal of Journaling with Jara is to share how Bible Journaling can guide us to engage with the Word of God in a way that is personal, interactive, and meaningful. By incorporating elements of art, writing, and reflection, we can explore the Biblical text more intimately, allowing a richer understanding and application of its teachings in our daily lives.

Journaling with Jara’s mission is to share with individuals how easy it can be to connect with Scripture in a way that resonates with their own spiritual journey. Bible Journaling has led me to develop a new and profound relationship with God, and my hope is I can inspire and encourage others to join this exciting adventure of Bible Journaling, and to discover the beauty and power of the Word of God in their own lives while it also ignites in them a real passion for the Lord.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I had to unlearn that beauty means perfection. I have learned over and over again that it is okey to make mistakes. The focus should not stay on the mistake itself, but instead, how you handled it, what you learned from it, and how it helped you grow. Making mistakes is inevitable and should not be considered as a barrier to success, but as an element of growth.

The fear of making mistakes often prevents us from stepping outside our comfort zones or trying new things, such as painting in our Bibles, however, embracing mistakes as learning opportunities can lead to greater self-awareness. Every mistake I have made in my Bible Journaling entries remind me that I am not perfect, and that my spiritual journey may be messy.  Every blob of paint, or misspelled word reminds me that the art is not what is important, the art is just the vessel to the creative worship that offers a unique way to memorize and meditate on the Bible’s teachings.

I still continue to remind myself that my journaling is a personal conversation between me and God, and as my beautiful and unique journey, it holds significance and it will continue to grow. God’s strength is perfected through my weakness.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.journalingwithjara.com
• Instagram: journalingwithjara
• Facebook: Journaling with Jara