Taking Control of Imagination
In the last posting I referred to the change that happens in our lives when we lose Imagination. I shared how that has happened to me as I moved into these later years. One time I could imagine and dream anything… but with the changes around me I slip into a kind of “Frozen with Fear” state of mind.
Maybe you have noticed that in your life as well. Because of circumstances around you; a bad report from a doctor, a sudden and rapid change at your work place, or some mounting problem within your family explodes and destroys dreams that fostered the imagination that was once there.
I know this for sure – it doesn’t take much to have the great dreams sidelined. Oh – imagination is still there. It is just filled with Fear and Frustration making it incapable of the drive that it normally has to propel life forward.
Again… please read the words of J. Hudson Taylor...(1832-1905)
One of the quotes that he is attributed as having said was as follows…
Use Your Imagination!
“Imagination lit every lamp in this country, produced every article we use, built every church, made every discovery, performed every act of kindness and progress, created more and better things for more people. It is the priceless ingredient for a better day.”
Oh how powerfully true that is!
As I read what Taylor said I stop to think – what if the “imagination” quality was never allowed? What would we have today? Not much I assume.
Second, I ask, what if Imagination was frozen or unable to function as it should? Perhaps because of circumstances it is filled with an obsession to protect and run away. Maybe because the situation that is there surrounding the “Imaginer” – he or she is unable to move forward with the great potential that God had designed for them.
In the Bible we read that Paul addressed this potential change in the lives of some of the Christians that he taught. It is found in the letter that he wrote to the Philippians (4:8)…
4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
This short but powerful verse is preceded with these words…
6. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
It appears that Paul is telling the folks that read the letter that whatever it is that have come your way to make you anxious, get you off track and pull you away from what you were doing so well – you need to get away from this thinking and start a new way of traveling.
We are in control of what we allow our minds to think.
If we allow horrible thoughts to flood our thinking it will not be long before we are immobile and not moving ahead. But if we entertain good thoughts and dwell on stuff that is positive we will very quickly make some radical changes. The horror that we faced moments ago will flee when we start rehearsing what God has done and is doing in our lives.
Let’s try this for new way of thinking that Paul suggests for just 10 minutes. Sit quietly and “force yourself” to think about the most positive things that have happened to you over these past 6 months. Please notice that I have shortened the time of the exercise and also the period of time to glean the thoughts from. You need to grab something quickly and use it for only a short period of time.
At the end of the 10 minutes what is the reaction and the feeling that you are experiencing?
Now when you are ready take a little longer time and open the time span that you think of to be larger. It would be good to write down what you are pulling up as positive and good things that have happened to you. Also write down what is happening to the feelings and reaction.
This kind of exercise is simply meditating on something. It is a spiritual discipline that is used throughout the Bible and encouraged by God himself.
One man did a lot of this kind of exercise and after all was said and done it became a great book of the Bible entitled “Psalms”.
Please read what is recorded in Joshua 1….
6. "Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. 7. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
Lately…
As I began thinking this new way, God moved in and asked if I really meant it. Yes, was my answer and he replied with some amazing opportunities that have flooded my life.
How about you? Are you ready for a change? Maybe I should ask – do you realize the need you have for change? How is your imagination? What are your impossibilities? Now what are your possibilities?
Mine are GREAT… God is in charge.
Pastor Murray
Maybe you have noticed that in your life as well. Because of circumstances around you; a bad report from a doctor, a sudden and rapid change at your work place, or some mounting problem within your family explodes and destroys dreams that fostered the imagination that was once there.
I know this for sure – it doesn’t take much to have the great dreams sidelined. Oh – imagination is still there. It is just filled with Fear and Frustration making it incapable of the drive that it normally has to propel life forward.
Again… please read the words of J. Hudson Taylor...(1832-1905)
One of the quotes that he is attributed as having said was as follows…
Use Your Imagination!
“Imagination lit every lamp in this country, produced every article we use, built every church, made every discovery, performed every act of kindness and progress, created more and better things for more people. It is the priceless ingredient for a better day.”
Oh how powerfully true that is!
As I read what Taylor said I stop to think – what if the “imagination” quality was never allowed? What would we have today? Not much I assume.
Second, I ask, what if Imagination was frozen or unable to function as it should? Perhaps because of circumstances it is filled with an obsession to protect and run away. Maybe because the situation that is there surrounding the “Imaginer” – he or she is unable to move forward with the great potential that God had designed for them.
In the Bible we read that Paul addressed this potential change in the lives of some of the Christians that he taught. It is found in the letter that he wrote to the Philippians (4:8)…
4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
This short but powerful verse is preceded with these words…
6. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
It appears that Paul is telling the folks that read the letter that whatever it is that have come your way to make you anxious, get you off track and pull you away from what you were doing so well – you need to get away from this thinking and start a new way of traveling.
We are in control of what we allow our minds to think.
If we allow horrible thoughts to flood our thinking it will not be long before we are immobile and not moving ahead. But if we entertain good thoughts and dwell on stuff that is positive we will very quickly make some radical changes. The horror that we faced moments ago will flee when we start rehearsing what God has done and is doing in our lives.
Let’s try this for new way of thinking that Paul suggests for just 10 minutes. Sit quietly and “force yourself” to think about the most positive things that have happened to you over these past 6 months. Please notice that I have shortened the time of the exercise and also the period of time to glean the thoughts from. You need to grab something quickly and use it for only a short period of time.
At the end of the 10 minutes what is the reaction and the feeling that you are experiencing?
Now when you are ready take a little longer time and open the time span that you think of to be larger. It would be good to write down what you are pulling up as positive and good things that have happened to you. Also write down what is happening to the feelings and reaction.
This kind of exercise is simply meditating on something. It is a spiritual discipline that is used throughout the Bible and encouraged by God himself.
One man did a lot of this kind of exercise and after all was said and done it became a great book of the Bible entitled “Psalms”.
Please read what is recorded in Joshua 1….
6. "Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. 7. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
Lately…
As I began thinking this new way, God moved in and asked if I really meant it. Yes, was my answer and he replied with some amazing opportunities that have flooded my life.
How about you? Are you ready for a change? Maybe I should ask – do you realize the need you have for change? How is your imagination? What are your impossibilities? Now what are your possibilities?
Mine are GREAT… God is in charge.
Pastor Murray
posted by Murray Lincoln at
Sunday, October 08, 2006
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