Imagine all the people

I realize that often times people associate imagination and creativity together. I had to stop and think exactly what the difference is between the two. I believe your imagination is often one of the earliest stages in creativity. Often, it happens so fast I don't really think of it as your imagination.

Last week we had the privilege of leading Andrew and Ginny's small group while they were off in Norway doing... Norwegian things I suppose. They are studying a book by Richard Foster on spiritual disciplines so we continued on in the book study. Richard briefly addressed the importance of imagination in your spiritual and prayer life. One example he cited was from a play, Joan of Arc. In the play Joan is confronted by a group of people saying she doesn't really hear from God. It's just her imagination. Joan's answer them saying she's knows it is indeed God speaking to her because it's her imagination.

It's kinda funny to think about the role your imagination plays. So often I think my imagination is just a big old distraction to actually being productive during my day. My imagination sometimes wanders off to something bizarre which makes me say, "Where'd that come from?" but I'm learning more and more that God uses our imagination to speak to us. When a person I haven't thought about in a long time crosses my mind I have to stop and think if God brought them to mind. If I'm praying for someone and I get a completely random picture in my mind I have to ask if God brushed that image across my mind. It never ceases to amaze me how God uses so many ways to speak to us.

funkadelic nature

I am not typically a nature photographer. I see beauty there, but I tend to actually photograph more urban off-beat things. So a couple weekends ago some of our small group met at Blendon Woods park for a picnic and we ended up taking a little hike. It was very enjoyable and we saw lots of great things. With each thing we came upon, someone would ask, “Do you want to take a picture?” as I had brought my camera on our adventure. Each time, I would decline. Partially I was feeling lazy, and partly I've begun to collect a large amount of photos on my computer since getting my first digital camera this past Christmas. So with each thing I would ask myself, is this worth a picture? And end up deciding, that yes it was pretty, but not all that unusual.

And then as we round one of the curves in the path, bright, brilliant orange in the dark green and brown woods.

God, just when I think I'm beyond amazement, you surprise me with something new.
Thanks.