Holy Imagination

Holy Imagination

Aren’t dreams amazing?  They transport us to faraway places, allow us to ‘see’ those who have left us for Heaven, let us shake off the limits of time, or place, or even gravity! They can be bizarre, lead us on wild adventures, or even transgress the boundaries of behaviors we think are right. They are not all pleasant are they?  Nightmares awaken us with the remnants of fear still hanging on.  Our dreams arise from our minds when the boundaries we consciously impose are lifted by sleep.

 

The Bible contains many dream stories when God’s Spirit acted on the person during sleep to reveal His plans. Daniel’s dreams let him see the successions of empires that would lead to the coming of the Messiah.  The details are astonishing in retrospect. Joseph’s dreams inspired him, and through decades of hardship he held onto the promises of God that came to him in those visions. Peter’s dream (Acts 10) caused him to reach out to the wider world with the Good News about Jesus.

Paul was guided by the Lord in a dream. When the apostle was unsure about the next step in his ministry the Bible says "That night Paul had a dream: A Macedonian stood on the far shore and called across the sea, “Come over to Macedonia and help us! The dream gave Paul his map. We went to work at once getting things ready to cross over to Macedonia. All the pieces had come together. We knew now for sure that God had called us to preach the good news to the Europeans. " (Acts 16:10, The Message)

During my life, God has given me some dreams that I have stored away and, in time, most have found fulfilment, confirming His Word and promise.   Do you have a holy imagination? Are you willing to let God inspire you with dreams that go beyond what you consciously believe is possible for you?  We should ask God to give us eyes of faith, to see as He sees.  We need to have holy imagination!  I realize that some might take this to extremes and confuse the meandering of their sleepy minds with the revelation of the will of God.  That’s not what I am encouraging today.  I am urging you to take God at His Word, listening careful to His Spirit, presenting yourself – body, mind, heart, and soul to Him - and asking Him to free you from the limits that others and this world might impose on you. Then, you can pray with faith that sees an answer.

Here’s a word from the Word.  May the Spirit use it to inspire us to reach higher for the glory of God. "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, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." (Ephesians 3:20-21, NIV)  

"God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. Glory to God in the church! Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus! Glory down all the generations! Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes!" (Ephesians 3:20-21, The Message)

_________________

Let Your Glory Fall

Father of creation,

Unfold Your sov'reign plan.

Raise up a chosen generation

That will march through the land.

All of creation is longing

For Your unveiling of pow'r.

Would You release Your anointing?

Oh God, let this be the hour!

Let Your glory fall in this room,

Let it go forth from here to the nations.

Let Your fragrance rest in this place,

As we gather to seek Your face.

Ruler of the nations,

The world has yet to see,

The full release of Your promise,

The church in victory!

Turn to us, Lord, and touch us,

Make us strong in Your might.

Overcome our weakness

That we could stand up and fight.

Let Your kingdom come!

Let Your will be done!

Let us see on earth,

The glory of Your Son!

David Ruis

© 1992 Mercy / Vineyard Publishing (Admin. by Vineyard Music USA)

CCLI License # 810055