Imagination!

Imagination! It can be a blessing or it can be a curse. The things we VISUALIZE can greatly impact the manner in which we approach daily life. What one imagines can have the power to freeze them in their tracks. The things imagined can also empower one to press on even in the midst of great adversity. Consider two examples from Proverbs.

Regarding the rich we read…
“A rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall IN HIS IMAGINATION.” ( Proverbs 18:11 ESV)

Regarding the sluggard or lazy person we note…
“The sluggard says, ‘THERE IS A LION OUTSIDE! I shall be killed in the streets!’” ( Proverbs 22:13 ESV)

On the one hand we have an individual described as imagining himself as being invincible because of his own possessions. Then there is the one who imagines danger that keeps him from going out and excuses himself from activity. There is a sense in which both of these VISUALIZATIONS were based on perspectives drawn from their own desires and interests rather than that which was real. We must guard against trusting too much in ourselves and what we possess as well as going to the other extreme of allowing imagined fears to paralyze us from necessary life activity. Certainly we may not know all that each day will bring, but we do know the One Who brings the day.

Let us be encouraged by the following words of Paul.
“(20) Now to HIM WHO IS ABLE TO DO FAR MORE ABUNDANTLY THAN ALL THAT WE ASK OR THINK, according to the power at work within us, (21) to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” ( Ephesians 3:20-21 ESV)

The word translated “think” (ESV) and “imagine” (NIV) is a word that means to perceive with the mind, think about, or ponder. [source: W. E. Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words] We may not be able to even come close to VISUALIZING all that God has in mind for us, but through our relationship in Christ we can know that it will be better than anything we might imagine. It is that realization in which we can place complete trust and find the will to press on regardless of what life might be throwing at us.

Have a great day TRUSTING THE REALITY OF THINGS TO COME!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on Visualization