Imagination

When we think about imagination, we have always struggled with where does it come from. Those who have vivid imaginations always come under some sort of microscope. Over the centuries they have been labeled and ostracized. In their time people like Van Gogh and DeVinci came under the same criticism. Was it because the had an imagination or was it because the threaten those around them? You see, those who have "imaginations" seem to be out of the main stream of things. They do not adhere to the status quo, therefore they are challenging to those who are not as imaginative.
But where does this imagination come from? Is it abnormal or normal? Is it natural or supernatural? Last night I was watching my youngest daughter, who has a vivid imagination. (Don't know where she get it) I love to watch her because you never know what is going on inside. She was sitting in the middle of the living room with a cardboard box. She began to cut the box in different ways, causing me to ask, "What are you doing." Now, I knew she had a plan, I was just interested to here what that plan was. She replied, "I am making a race track for my cars." Wow, didn't see that one coming. So, I just sat back and watched. She would take off and disappear and then come back with a new piece of cardboard, asking if she could use it. Eventually, she had constructed a race track out of all those cardboard pieces.
Here is what we learn, she had a vision. She didn't know exactly how everything would look or fit together, but she had the vision and was moving in that direction. Then at the end she could see it as it should be.

Again where does that come from? As we look at creation, I believe that we can safely say that we, as image bearers of God, have been given this characteristic. Look at God; think about how much imagination it required to take nothing, literally nothing, and cause everything that is to be. How much imagination did it take to form the vastness of the universe and create a planet that would ultimately maintain life. Look in the mirror, how much imagination do you think it took to create you as you are? No punt intended.

I think we all have the character of imagination. Some don't use it because they are afraid of what others may think, some don't know they have it because the were never encourage to use it. So for those that do express imagination, are they expressing the character of God that caused all creation to exist. When I sit and watch my daughter construct a race track out of cardboard with no instructions, just imagination, am I seeing an image of God? When we see people following a vision that God has given them, are we seeing an image of God?

Is it ok to dream, to have vision, to imagine? I believe so. I believe that God encourages it. So next time you want to dismiss someone as "oh they are just a dreamer", or "they just have a vivid imagination." Remember you may be seeing an image of God at work.

But also remember that Van Gogh and DeVinci are household names today. History will always remember those who are willing to risk everything for a dream or vision.