Hopeful Imagination

Seeing into the distance, the future, through impediments like an early morning fog challenges our perceptions, but also the direction we may take and the life we live.

Talking to a precious one recently, I said, “Why not use your imagination and plan on things working out?”

I was considering how easily we enact our imaginations with worry and fear. I’m guilty. In fact, I should ask some of you to forgive me for aligning my imagination with too many concerns: please forgive me.

I’ve primed myself and others using the following question as a means of analysis of possibilities and opportunities: “What’s the worse case scenario?”

Why have we all at one time or another used that question as a way to make decisions?

It doesn’t align with the Word or character of God, does it? Wisdom considers outcomes, but vain imaginations…not so much.

In 2nd Corinthians 10:5 the Apostle Paul writes, “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” (KJV)

Imagination is one of the greatest gifts God hardwired into our DNA and which He cultivates and stirs up in us so we can take part in and pour forth: humor, design, beauty, concepts, art, problem-solving, and the endless list of ways we use imagination.

Imagination is a gift!

Yet, if this life-giving imagination is taken in the direction of fears and worries it can steal our head space, time, joy, strength, and relationships…and that list goes on and on.

God calls us to hope, to be courageous, and to bold living. We can consider leaning into the practicality of worries as if somehow it makes us more responsible adults–bearing the unforeseen future with a weightiness of cement shoes.

What if we choose hope, combine it with faith, and let the joy of the Lord be our strength?

Today I had some incredibly fantastic news about a situation as heavy as they come. My heart exploded in gratitude to God.

I immediately reflected on the aforementioned scripture along with Psalm 27:13, “I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.”

Hope is a precious commodity we can maintain and sustain others with it.

I’m not going to ask myself or anyone else the question of “worst case scenario” any longer. I want to trust God’s intervention in my life and the lives of others based on His Word and character, not my imagination gone south. Join me?

Hope filled Blessings,

Annette
(Looking at the above photo taken at Alsea Bay,  1st Corinthians 13:12 was brought to mind.)