One of the qualities that separates us from other animals is our ability to imagine. Only humans can look to the future and dream of something different.
We know that every creative act is an act of the imagination. Every drawing or book or invention began as a mere spark of an idea that the individual then built upon combining knowledge, contemplation, and imagination.
Courageous acts also have their birth in the imagination. We perceive a better life either for ourselves or our fellow man, and then we take that first step to make it happen.
Because we were made in God’s image, we were made to be creators—to imagine what could be and then, as Jean-Luc Picard of Star Trek so famously said, “Make it so”.
There is one very important thing, though, that we must remember when using our imagination. We must keep it under the sovereignty of God.
The Bible warns of the futility of making plans without first submitting them to God since none of us knows what tomorrow will bring. (James 4:13-15). Proverbs 16:9 reminds us that --The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.
Likewise, imagining the future without a relationship with the God who loves us unconditionally leads either to unchecked pride or hopelessness and despair.
So as you enter this new year, imagine what you would like your life to be this year, then submit it, in all humility to God. Then as you pursue the life you imagine, follow God’s leading with the full assurance that while you may envision a certain future, God knows the one that is best.
Finally, as each year passes, one future event comes ever closer—our face to face meeting with our Savior. Whether it is through our own passing, or His return, what that meeting will be like is one we can’t possibly imagine in full. Bart Millard of MercyMe contemplates this greatest act of the imagination and presents it so wonderfully in his song, “I Can Only Imagine.”
Enjoy and Happy New Year!
We know that every creative act is an act of the imagination. Every drawing or book or invention began as a mere spark of an idea that the individual then built upon combining knowledge, contemplation, and imagination.
Courageous acts also have their birth in the imagination. We perceive a better life either for ourselves or our fellow man, and then we take that first step to make it happen.
Because we were made in God’s image, we were made to be creators—to imagine what could be and then, as Jean-Luc Picard of Star Trek so famously said, “Make it so”.
There is one very important thing, though, that we must remember when using our imagination. We must keep it under the sovereignty of God.
The Bible warns of the futility of making plans without first submitting them to God since none of us knows what tomorrow will bring. (James 4:13-15). Proverbs 16:9 reminds us that --The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.
Likewise, imagining the future without a relationship with the God who loves us unconditionally leads either to unchecked pride or hopelessness and despair.
So as you enter this new year, imagine what you would like your life to be this year, then submit it, in all humility to God. Then as you pursue the life you imagine, follow God’s leading with the full assurance that while you may envision a certain future, God knows the one that is best.
Finally, as each year passes, one future event comes ever closer—our face to face meeting with our Savior. Whether it is through our own passing, or His return, what that meeting will be like is one we can’t possibly imagine in full. Bart Millard of MercyMe contemplates this greatest act of the imagination and presents it so wonderfully in his song, “I Can Only Imagine.”
Enjoy and Happy New Year!
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