Yesterday I mentioned our new dog, Andre. He is pure delight. Cute. Playful. Engaged. Attentive. But he is a dog. And that means he does not have an imagination. Humans are the only animals to be endowed with imagination. Our minds have the ability to envision what does not yet exist. We have the power to create realities, images, possibilities, scenarios, and concepts that are not yet factual reality. We can plan and dream for days, weeks, months, and years into the future. Our imagination makes this possible, and we are the only living beings with this capability.
Imagination is a wondrous gift. It is the source of all that we have accomplished in human history. And, amazingly, it is the reason we can envision how we will progress as a human race. Our imagination gives us the ability to dream of peace, of a clean sustainable earth, of all people fed and clothed and sheltered, of health care for all, and of every child loved and cared for. It is our imagination that fuels these hopes and dreams. And these images have the power to impact behavior and choices and values and policies.
We cannot leave imagination only to the realm of entertainment. We need to use our imagination to envision and create a world of justice and peace, compassion and generosity.
Stars. Angels. Shepherds. Dreams. Wise men from afar. These images stir the imagination. They inspire us. The capacity to imagine is a glad tiding of great joy to ALL people. We need to celebrate the imagination. Affirm the dreaming of dreams. Nurture visions. Foment creativity. This will spread the glad tidings of great joy to ALL people.
Prayer: We are grateful for our capacity to imagine. Help us to dream your dreams. Give us your visions. Inspire us through Jesus to spread glad tidings of great joy to ALL people. Amen.
Lakewood United Church of Christ 