Walt Disney once said, “If you can dream it, you can do it. Always remember that this whole thing was started by a mouse.” Whether or not people acknowledge it, Walt’s ability to dream came from the almighty Creator of the human brain. Artists have the amazing ability to imagine what the picture will look like before pressing the brush to the canvas. The craftsman can visualize the finished product before putting his hand to the work. The Christian dreams of how beautiful heaven must be. Unfortunately, people also use their minds to craft new ways to sin–to think of ways they may commit wickedness in pursuit of worldly gain or earthly pleasure. However, God’s desire for us is to surrender our imaginations to the way of Christ—to renovate our minds, fill them with good thoughts, and imagine ways in which we may employ our talents in the service of Christ.
Humanity's ability to dream, imagine, think, and reason came from the One in Whose image we were created! When God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1), His imagination was put on display for all to see. Paul wrote that “since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen… so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1:20). Jeremiah stood in awe of God’s creation when he said, “Ah, Lord GOD! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you” (Jeremiah 32:17). Jesus alluded to the beauties of God’s marvelous creation in referring to the “lilies of the field… yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” Not only is God’s powerful imagination evident in creation, but it is most impressively witnessed in the way He graciously and mercifully saved a lost and dying world! God’s plan to redeem humanity excited the prophets and marveled the angels of heaven (1 Peter 1:10-12). When God paved the way for the salvation of mankind, He imagined it complete before it actually took place (see Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 53; 1 Peter 1:20). Thanks be to God for revealing His mind through the gospel as the answer to our sin problem (see Romans 1:16-17)! Surely His thoughts and ways are so much greater than anything humanity could possibly imagine (Isaiah 55:8-9).
When God created, He granted humanity the ability to choose. God had the very best in mind for Adam and Eve, charting the path of life, but the forbidden fruit offered an alternate path. Satan’s temptations and lies caused their imaginations to wander from God’s will into the realm of sin and shame (Genesis 3:4-6). This also happens today when people move away from the beautiful path of life God has imagined for them. God searches the heart of man and knows his thoughts and imaginations (Psalms 94:11; 139:23; John 2:25). One reason why God destroyed the world with water was evil imaginations (Genesis 6:5). Sadly, the people of Noah’s day had dreamed of living life without God. Paul warned the Romans of the results of leaving God: “because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. (Romans 1:21).
So, in contrast to imagining vain things, God’s desire for us is to focus our minds on things above (Colossians 3:2), on thoughts that bring true peace and happiness (Philippians 4:8), and on blessings that last forever (2 Corinthians 4:18). The New Testament constantly implores us to leave the ideas of the world behind to embrace the mind of Christ. Paul wrote, “let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus…” (Philippians 2:5). This kind of imagination is not left to its own direction, but requires a “putting off” of worldly, sensual ways, to the putting on of the ways of Christ (Ephesians 4:20-24). The human imagination is a powerful tool created by God, that when governed by His will can accomplish wonderful things! Imagine the ways in which we may employ our talents and abilities in the kingdom of Christ. May we aspire daily to DREAM BIG in the Lord!