Imagine

God does immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.

As a child our imagination takes us to grand and glorious spaces. We ponder the great unknown and make up stories of fanciful places. Playing pretend is a common occurrence. We play school with our dolls and pretend to be teachers; we put on outfits made of aluminum foil and make believe we are astronauts exploring the outer limits of the universe. Laying on the grass and looking for animal shapes as the clouds float by is a wonderful afternoon pastime. The sky is the limit and opportunities are endless. It’s a youthful version of considering all of life’s “what ifs.” As we grow older, wiser, and more mature, we often lose a bit of our childlike wonder. A little of our hope and expectations can dwindle. The spark in our eyes may get a smidgen dimmer. But honestly, it doesn’t have to be this way. Awe, joy, hope, and expectation are just as available to us today as they were in days and years gone past.

Whenever we feel as if our imagination is losing its spark, we need only look to the Lord and He will renew it. With God all things are possible, even things so big that we dare not dream of them. The Lord asks us to imagine the potential He has placed within us; to look in our hearts and reach for the dreams He has laid on them. When God asks us to imagine it is always for something beyond belief of what our finite minds can grasp. Imagine the path set before you when God is leading the way; or the obstacles He will help you climb over when they suddenly arise. Imagine the strength He will give you when your own is running out. Remember the Cross and imagine the love He has for you. Imagine the rich blessings He wants to pour into your life now and the ones that await you in Heaven. Just imagine! God is so good, and glorious, and kind—just imagine what the fullness of God truly means for you and me.

Ephesians 3:16-21, “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness 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.”

• What do you need to pray and ask God for today? What is He asking you to imagine?

1 Corinthians 2:9 reminds us: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”

On a recent trip to Seville, Spain, I visited the Metropol Parasol, the largest wooden structure in the world. Standing atop at the railing’s edge, onlookers watched as the sun went down over the city. Music played, the sky grew golden, shadows cast upon the land. It was the perfect moment to be still and contemplate the wonder of God and His evident glory in this world. The opportunity for imagining presented itself along with quiet prayer.