Proverbs 23:7 – “For as he thinks within himself, so he is…”  NASB

I want to address something in the next few devotionals that always has a cloud of suspicion hovering over it and is often thrown out because of the misuse and abuse by Eastern Mysticism and the New Agers.  What am I talking about?  The Imagination.  I can hear some whispering, “Be careful, you may drift into error.”  I am always cognizant of that potential and always seek the Face of my Heavenly Father and the help of the Holy Spirit to guide me to Truth through the Word of God.

Imagination falls into the same class as meditation because it is practiced by various Eastern religions.  I ask, “Why should the Christian community be bereft of a blessing God has granted because of the perversion of the devil?”  We should never allow the existence of counterfeit or error to prevent us from seeking the blessing, benefit, and truth of God’s provisions.  If we do that, we will become ‘fort holders’ who are hiding and awaiting the return of our Lord, living in fear and hoping to just hold one somehow.  I won’t live that way because that is not God’s way.

There is incredible power in the mind of man.  God put it there and the documented facts are, we use so little of it.  Sometimes, it seems we use none of it, but that is another story.  The human mind and especially the mind of the believer is like a computer.  Every thought that we think flows through the mind.  Every image that we create in our minds is indelibly inscribed on the cells of our brains.  There is unleashed and untapped power and potential that I desire to tap into and would like to lead others into that realm so we can see God’s Kingdom Come and His Will done on Earth and in us powerfully and consistently.

If you were to recall some of the thoughts and images that you created in your mind, in times past they are vivid and real.  I can recall some experiences and thoughts from decades ago and they are alive as though they were happening now.  I can feel the feelings and have the sensations that I had then.  That is the power of the mind and imagination.  It can be good or terribly bad depending on how it is used and who is guiding us through the corridors of the mind and our memory banks.

Webster’s dictionary defines Imagination – “The act of creating mental images of what has never been actually experienced.”  That is interesting.  It goes far beyond memory into creativity which can remain fantasy or become reality depending on how we utilize those images and thoughts. 

I believe God considers the ability to “Imagine” a good thing and a gift.  In fact, I would argue that it is one of our most valued assets and is incredibly powerful.  I can sit at my desk and imagine a beautiful lake or stream with shimmering water on the surface.  I can see the beautiful trees and flowers along the shoreline.  If I close my eyes, I can see it as vividly as if I were standing there.  It is powerful!

I am not an artist and have very little artistic ability when it comes to painting pictures or drawing but, in my mind, I can produce a picture Rembrandt would be envious of.  Why is that possible?  Where does that ability come from?  Is that gift or ability wrong or right, good or evil?  That’s what I want us to consider.

We are created in the Image and Likeness of God.  We are, according to scripture, a special treasure to Him.  He created us with more talent and ability than we have tapped into or even imagine possible.  That’s why Jesus could say, that with God all things are possible and then declare that all things are possible to those who believe.  In that sense, we can create! 

Have you ever day-dreamed?  Has your imagination taken you off the beaten path and if you allowed it to continue would have led you into a dangerous or difficult situation?  When I was in school and would become bored my mind would wander and it caused difficulties from time to time.  One teacher said, “Roy, you are a million miles away, come back to class.”  I wasn’t that far away but I was in another place and another time and it was invigorating.

I contend that God values the gifts, talents, and abilities He has placed in us more than we do.  He created the power and ability in us not only to imagine it but to design and created more things than we imagined.  Not only in physical structures and tools, but in ministry, business, relationships, and life. 

Imagination is an exciting subject to me and the Gospel Song, “I Can Only Imagine” reminds us of the beauty that awaits, and although we do not see it in the natural, we can see it in the mind through the revelations of the Holy Spirit.  Allow God to release the Gift of Imagination in you and use it for His Glory. 

God bless you as you enjoy this day!