This Woman Paints in Her Bible and It Will Change the Way You Think About Reading the Word
I came across Brenna Yap’s Instagram page several months ago when looking up #biblejournaling and kept it in the back of my mind to ask her a few questions. She is beyond amazing at how she uses her gifts for the Lord, but she’s also just an all-around awesome human. Keep reading and you’ll see why for yourself!
NAME: BRENNA YAP, 21
LOCATION: CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE
OCCUPATION: I'M A FULL-TIME COLLEGE STUDENT, A FULL-TIME STUDENT AMBASSADOR AT MY CAMPUS MINISTRY, AND A PART-TIME ICE CREAM SCOOPER!
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN ILLUSTRATING IN YOUR BIBLE?
I've been illustrating since I was about 15 or 16. I couldn't afford a journaling Bible at first, so I began by doodling on scraps of watercolor paper and gluing them into my Bible.
I NOTICE YOU HAVE MORE THAN ONE BIBLE YOU ILLUSTRATE IN. WHY IS THAT? DO YOU HAVE A SYSTEM?
I've gone through different phases in life, and each Bible kind of represents a new chapter. Each one means something important to me, and the notes I take in them reflect that period of time, whether it's frustration, joy, or even heartbreak over a certain boy. Also, sometimes they just get full and I need a new one to take notes in; I'm not really a fan of notebooks, so journaling Bibles work well for me.
HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT NOTATING YOUR BIBLE? WHAT IS YOUR TECHNIQUE?
I honestly just take notes. Some of my methods come from Jordan Lee Dooley, who runs SoulScripts. Some of my methods come from my own head as well. One thing I've found that really words for me is writing the main idea of a passage in large cursive at the top of a page. It makes it easy for me to know what's on that page, so if I'm looking for a certain thing, I can find it with ease. I also highlight a lot. If you look at my Bible too hard, it can be overwhelming, but it makes sense to me. I learn best by physically writing, so for me, writing and highlighting those notes in the same color as the verse is highlighted is an excellent way for me to make connections in my head and on the paper!
OH! I LOVE JORDAN’S METHOD TOO. HER VIDEOS HAVE REALLY HELPED ME IN MY BIBLE STUDIES. WHY PAINT? HOW'D YOU COME UP WITH THAT IDEA?
This sounds super basic, but I saw some on Pinterest once and decided to try it. I've always been kind of art-minded, painting is one of the best ways I know how to use my skills to worship. Sometimes I get wrapped up in the artsy-fartsy kind of mentality, and I lose sight of why I do what I do... It's about worship and using the gifts God has given me to worship him and spread the news of God's grace. I've LOVED learning as I go and developing my own style.
I JUST USE PENS WHEN I ILLUSTRATE IN MY BIBLE, AND THAT TAKES A WHILE. I CAN’T IMAGINE HOW LONG IT WOULD TAKE WITH PAINT. WHEN YOU GO TO SIT DOWN AND ILLUSTRATE IN YOUR BIBLE, HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU ALLOT?
It sort of depends. I don't have a specific amount of time, really. I'm pretty loose with my time allotment, which I think can be both a strength and a weakness. It can be a strength because sometimes I really do feel convicted to spend hours, but if I don't set aside time, it can be really easy to forget to read my Bible. Sometimes I'm really quite terrible at allotting time; I go through seasons of spiritual drought where I don't do much, and sometimes I go through periods where I spend HOURS in the Word. I'm currently working on building a better routine, and I'm hoping that my Instagram page will help me be a better Christian and leader for Christ. I also tend to doodle on my notes in class. Sometimes I cut them out and glue them in later. I personally think that's Bible journaling too.
WHAT'S YOUR ALL-TIME FAVORITE BIBLE ILLUSTRATION YOU'VE EVER DONE AND WHY?
I painted the galaxy in my Bible once. It reminded me of Genesis, and of how big God really is in comparison to me. And then I thought about how beautiful it is that this being who created the huge universe looked at me and thought I was worth saving... I have this tattoo on my arm in white ink. It's the Hebrew word "towb", which means good. I had that word in my mind the whole time as I painted the galaxy into my Bible. I mean, think about it... God called all of creation GOOD. And He called humans GOOD. I don't know, maybe it sounds cheesy, but I just think it's beautiful. I always like to think about how the same God who scattered the stars and carved the canyons also called me, a sinner, GOOD.
WHY THE NAME "MUSTARD SEED?" WHAT DOES THAT MEAN TO YOU?
Okay, so I thought about a name real long and hard before I called my blog "The Mustard Seed.” I wanted something that was relatable to everyone, not just me, and I think the parable of the Mustard Seed in Matthew 17:20 is something that fits the bill. I don't know if you've ever seen a mustard seed, but those little suckers are tiny. One of the best things about this verse is that it doesn't say that you need a mountain, an ocean, or even a handful of faith. You simply need a faith as small as a mustard seed. Jesus does the rest. Something else that I took from this parable that wasn't explicitly said is that roots matter. When a seed is trying to grow, it needs good soil to put its roots into. Without roots, the plant can't get nutrients and will be blown away by any storm that happens to roll by. Christians can't remain faithful without community. And that's what I am striving to do by creating my blog and my Instagram page. I want it to be a community where roots run deep and growth happens.
WHAT TIPS WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE INTERESTED IN BIBLE JOURNALING? ANY TOOLS YOU'D RECOMMEND?
You only need a Bible and a pen. Seriously. Actually, scratch that. you just need a piece of paper and a pen. Honestly, Bible journaling doesn't have to be in the pages of a Bible. It can happen as you're doodling on a napkin while waiting for food, or on the back of a store receipt, on your notes for class, or even just in a notebook. I'm pretty loose with the term "Bible journaling". I like to think it's like singing or praying; a form of worship that can happen anytime, anywhere. Of course, if you're more into putting your art into the Word itself, I highly recommend watercolors.
WHAT'S NEXT FOR YOU? ANY EXCITING UPCOMING PROJECTS?
Actually, yes! I'm currently working on launching an online shop, and I'm also working on a better way to spread the word of God than just on an Instagram page. I don't have a date for any of that yet, because it's still just concepts floating around in my head, but I'm so excited that I'm bursting with new ideas and crazy plans and huge dreams. I've always wanted to use my art and my studies to share Christ, and I think I'm beginning to see where God wants me to go with it. I'm definitely looking at hand-painting some Bibles, because I've had several requests for that. I'm also looking at making a devotional book that would be geared toward college students, especially college women. I'm bursting with energy and ideas and I honestly can't contain my excitement!!
ANYTHING ELSE I MISSED THAT YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE?
I've received a lot of support from my parents and friends, which has meant the world to me. I sometimes have bursts of creative energy and ideas, and everyone I'm close to is always really supportive and excited for me. I'm excited to be sharing this journey and this ride with them and everyone who's followed me so far. They all put up with my antics and I've been so blessed to have them in my life. God does wild things when you ask.
WOW! WASN’T THAT GREAT?? SO MANY GOOD NUGGETS OF WISDOM AND TIPS. I CAN’T WAIT TO TRY PAINTING IN MY BIBLE NOW (ALTHOUGH I HAVE A FEELING MY ARTWORK WON’T LOOK AS GOOD AS HERS. 😬). MAKE SURE YOU STAY CONNECTED WITH BRENNA VIA THE FOLLOWING LINKS!
BRENNA’S BLOG: HTTPS://THEMUSTARDSEEDSSITE.WORDPRESS.COM
BRENNA’S IG: HTTPS://WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/THE_MUSTARD_SEED1/
WRITTEN BY NIYAH SIMONE
