“Imagine….”
The conversation invited me into a world where possibilities lived. Words like what-if, could, would, possibility, potentially, and let’s try danced with each other. I find myself embraced by hope, filled with strength, and thirsty for more.
This week has been a week of fear. Markets are in turmoil, uncontrollable forces are driving change, and ideas are in retreat. In my conversations I find myself facing waves of doubt and uncertainties. They seem to have no end. Initially I tried to address them one by one. I soon tired. The relentlessness of it all saps one’s reserves.
In the middle of it all, two conversations stand out. Both start with the word imagine. Imagine that today’s story has a perfect ending. What will it look like? What will it feel like? What are the interactions that are playing out in your imagination when you shut your eyes?
When I follow the path in my mind, several reminders emerge. Great ideas never die. They live on as truth capsules for a raining day. Individuals remember and bring them up. You may not get credit for the ones that were yours, but you recognize them! It is always time for good ideas to make an appearance. They may not be useful at the moment, but they will remind you of hope.
Secondly, “Love never dies. Inspired speech will be over some day; praying in tongues will end; understanding will reach its limit.” (1 Corinthians 13.8) Love in all its forms lives one – we may forget the act, but the feeling of compassion stays with us. We may not know who initiated a moment of kindness, yet we live with its outcome.
Third, within each of us is the freedom to make the world better. We may not think we matter. We may not believe we can do anything of significance. We may not but the truth of the matter is that we can.
I hear an invitation from God this morning to imagine. Imagine that we can do something helpful. Imagination is an invitation to action.
