Monday Morning Devotion-February 13, 2023

Imagination

"Imagination is funny the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace.     Romans 8:6

* Reprinted from 3 years ago.

Imagination is funny

It makes a cloudy day sunny

It makes a bee think of honey

Just as I think of you.

Imagination is crazy

Your whole perspective gets hazy

Starts you asking a daisy

What to do, what to do"

       Those verses are from a 1940 song "Imagination" written by Jimmy Van Heusen (music) and Johnny Burke (lyrics).  It was a song with lasting popularity recorded by many stars in the music industry.  Among those recording it over the years were Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Dean Martin, Bing Crosby, Petula Clark, Doris Day---well I think you get the idea.

            "Imagination" was a song that even the creators couldn't have imagined would go viral (current term unknown in the 1900's).  But this sets the stage for our devotion today which focuses on the power of imagination.

            Have you ever had somebody say to you, when you are puzzled about something; "Use your imagination and you'll get it?"   Could be aggravating when that happens couldn't it?  But it can also bring about unexpected results. 

            Charles Stanley says: "Our imaginations are a blessing from God"

            The dictionary definition that I prefer is: "The ability of the mind to be creative or resourceful."

            There is also this definition: "Imagination is the ability to produce and simulate novel objects, peoples and ideas in the mind without any immediate input of the senses."

            Mark Twain said: "Imagination is everything.  It is the preview of life's coming attractions."

            In a blog by Liz Lemery Joy "Do You Know Why God Gave Us an Imagination? (blog.timesunion.com): "Our imagination is the movie screen of our mind and it is a very powerful tool given to us by God himself.  Why?  So that we could envision ourselves as God sees us.  Whatever we think and dwell on is going to be playing on the movie screen of our mind.  So, let me ask you what kind of movies have you been playing?"

            We can imagine things, but they may not immediately come about.  They may keep playing out in the movie screen of your mind. Then these coming attractions may be realized at a later date. They may not even be fulfilled in the way we had imagined them.  By placing our trust in the Lord chances are very good they will play out in greater fashion than we had imagined.

            Philippians 4:8-9:  Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious, the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. 

            There are really not limits on imagination.  It's not necessarily seeing pictures in your mind.  All five senses can be included:  You can imagine sounds, tastes, smells, physical sensations, feelings, and emotions.

            In a conversation have you ever asked:  "Am I imagining things or did that just happen?" or something of that nature.  Sometimes our imagination can be so strong or our desire for something to happen so intense we might even wonder if we have experienced it.  Actually, the experience was only in the movie screen of your mind---your imagination. But, hey, don't discount it.  It may happen for real later.

            In an internet article, "The Power of Imagination" Remez Sasson creator of Success Consciousness website and author of numerous books on success writes: "A developed, and strong imagination does not make you a daydreamer and impractical.  On the contrary, it strengthens your creative abilities, and is a great tool for recreating and remodeling your world and your life."

            Mark Twain, a great imaginer in his own right says: "Logic will get you from A to B.  Imagination will take you everywhere."

            Authors must first imagine their story in their mind before they write it.  And in the case of fiction-writers imagining scene-after-scene and chapter-after-chapter takes the story from the imagination to the finished product. 

            In an article: "What Happens When You Have Imagination with Faith" (tyndale.com)

We enlarge this idea of imagination by combining it with our faith as Christians. 

            "It was Picasso who said, 'Every child is an artist.  The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.'  Imagination is the force that trespasses on the impossible. It's easy for children to imagine, but as we age that force often lies undeveloped.’"

            Interesting that the writer says that when growing up that force becomes undeveloped, not replaced, or demolished. 

            Further stated: "Developing an imagination is a necessity, and it is crucial to our faith. You could actually say that our faith needs imagination as much as our imagination needs our faith.  They are to cohabitate and support each other in this Christian life. 

            Imagination visualizes what faith knows to be true.  If imagination is a kite, faith is the string connecting it to its handler.  So, it's faith that calls us to imagine, but to imagine with biblically correct assurance.  Without a theological connect, the kite could be tossed by every gust of wind."

            Basically, what it all boils down to is that imagination is a wonderful thing when exercised properly.  When this imagination is biblically developed, we start to see people and things the way God sees them. Imagine that!

            Keep developing that imagination, in good faith, then count your blessings.

Prayer: Lord when we are imagining things use them to show us the way.    Amen!