Sometimes we treat our imaginations as if they are bad and evil, instead of recognizing they are part of the transformation to a new creation and new Life in Christ the same as every other part of us. I think this leads us to shunning the very creativity and amazingness that God has created us to have, and one of the most useful tools in finding peace.
Imagination as defined by Oxford Languages is “the faculty or action of forming new ideas, or images or concepts of external objects not present to the senses” or “the ability of the mind to be creative or resourceful.”
The focus of our imagination is definitely important, and even with a redeemed imagination we can focus on things that don’t really suit us as new creations. But Isaiah talks below about allowing our imaginations to be consumed by God, which allows us to be surrounded in perfect, absolute peace and trust God.
So, if we want peace and trust, we must allow our imaginations to be focused on Him. Have you ever imagined the compassionate, powerful Jesus sitting in front of you for a chat? Have you ever imagined the Father’s glorious throne to which we are invited to come any time boldly? Have you ever imagined Holy Spirit breathing comfort and counsel deeply into the atmosphere surrounding you so that it infuses you and allows you to sleep?
I love the way God has created our imagination to flourish and thrive when we treat it with care. Our minds are the same way as our bodies—if we feed them unhealthy things, we don’t function well. I want to feed my mind in a way that allows Jesus to renew it, and to foster imagination in the most beautiful way.
Evil cannot create anything, but must distort what God has created. So, evil tries to steal and distort the mind and imagination. But in reality, they are God-breathed and wonderful as they are now in Christ and the old way doesn’t suit us anymore.
Imagination, then, becomes an incredible tool to allow us to focus on Jesus, to renew our minds, and to hear God’s voice. We cannot be afraid of it, though, and assume it is out to get us. Every part of us died with Christ and was born anew, so we can focus that imagination on the good and see it move us into amazing places. Just like Colossians 3:1-4 says:
Christ’s resurrection is your resurrection too. This is why we are to yearn for all that is above, for that’s where Christ sits enthroned at the place of all power, honor, and authority! Yes, feast on all the treasures of the heavenly realm and fill your thoughts with heavenly realities, and not with the distractions of the natural realm. Your crucifixion with Christ has severed the tie to this life, and now your true life is hidden away in God in Christ. And as Christ himself is seen for who he really is, who you really are will also be revealed, for you are now one with him in his glory!
When we set our minds on the treasures of the heavenly realm and heavenly realities, we recognize the truth that our minds are resurrected in new life with Christ. The heavenly spiritual realities are what feeds our minds in the healthiest way, what allows them to grow in a direction that helps us and allows us to really experience peace. We are one with Christ, and this is a testimony of that oneness. We don’t have to have enough strength to do this on our own, by the way. We can ask Jesus for focus, for strength, for all that we need to move our brains in a direction that is much better for us.
So, if you want to experience peace, practice allowing your imagination to be consumed with Jesus, focusing on who He is in you and trusting Him to be everything you need for each day. The result is perfect, absolute peace surrounding us, and the recognition that we are in Christ and new creations every day.
Perfect, absolute peace surrounds those whose imaginations are consumed with you; they confidently trust in you. Isaiah 26:3