For the most part, I consider myself to be a straight forward, practical person. I’ve never been one who needs all the “bells and whistles” on new things. I don’t have the desire for the latest version of anything. At stores, I consider myself more of a buyer than a shopper. I go in, get what is on my list and get out. I don’t browse around the stores to see what’s popular in fashion or even try the free samples of newest delicacies. I am rather plain, practical and maybe considered kind of boring.

Of all God’s many gifts, imagination is one I haven’t used much. I love the advice to “Dream Big” and yet I have never really felt comfortable practicing it. I remember when I used to dream of going to college and graduating. Even then, my thought process was more in terms of practical methods of how to achieve that goal. I am in awe of people who can think far beyond the here and now. People who can visualize things they have never seen. My husband has this gift and I am fascinated by how his mind works. I am even a little envious.  

Like our muscles, our imagination has to be used often in order to grow strong. My degree of imagination is weak and narrow. Like blinders on a race horse, it only sees what is straight ahead. It seems to be focused and limited to realistic possibilities. I don’t have panoramic vision. I’m not good at thinking with no limitations. 

Usually, the only time I work to exercise my imagination is trying to envision heaven. What will it look like? When I was very young I always thought of endless baseball fields. Silly I know but I thought how beautiful and peaceful that would be. Now I wonder, who will I see? Everyone? Will I get hungry? Who fixes meals? Sadly, even when I try to use my imagination, practical thoughts prevail. So I have given up on conjuring up a picture of heaven in my mind. Instead I hold onto the words of Ephesians 3:20 which says, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we can ask or IMAGINE …” (emphasis mine). While I’m not good at stretching my imagination about heaven, I do find joy in sights of ‘heaven on earth’. Those include radiant sunsets, the innocence of a sleeping baby, the laughter of a child, a majestic forest and a brilliant blue sky.

How is your imagination? Do you exercise it often? Do you Dream Big? I hope you have a wonderfully active imagination. Treasure it if you do. And if you think of heaven just imagine how amazing it will be!

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.”  Ephesians 3:20 (NIV)

“But our citizenship is in heaven and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.”  Philippians 3:20 (NIV)