Imagining God

Imagination is something we all have. Some imaginings are a little subdued, others more creative, and some downright dramatic.

I was out on a bright, sunny morning, walking my dog, musing over what to write about in this blog, when I came across a sign on a gate that read: "Beware of the Dog." I imagined a ferocious beast and prepared myself for a barking onslaught. Tentatively, I peered over the fence - only to be strangely disappointed but warmed by the sight that greeted me: a cute wee dog you could almost put in your pocket. A nice, friendly bark and not the beast my imagination had conjured.

Our imaginations are shaped these days not just by our minds but also by media and television. We don’t need to imagine the devastation of the recent earthquake in Myanmar - the images are right there in front of us. But when we don’t have those pictures, we rely more heavily on our imagination.

A good book draws us into the story by painting scenes so vividly that we feel like we’re there. I remember listening to an audiobook of The Hobbit. It was so well done - with sound effects, music, and different voices - that it really pulled me into the story.

I wonder - do we ever imagine what God is like?

We’re told so much about Him in His Word that it’s only natural to form a picture in our minds. But unlike a novel, which is the product of an author’s imagination, the Bible is formed in the mind of God and communicated through the minds of men - men inspired by the Holy Spirit, who imagined the revelation of God and gave it to us in words.

When we read the Bible, our minds are stimulated by that divine imagination, with the added gift of the Holy Spirit working through the Word to bring it alive in us.

Of course, we can only imagine God. But our imagination will never be enough because the things of God are beyond fully knowing.

"For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face.
Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known."
— 1 Corinthians 13:12

Last Sunday, my sermon was titled "Behold the Man!" In it, I asked the congregation to imagine standing in the crowd as Pilate presented a battered, bruised, and bloodied Christ with those very words. Some may have found it hard to engage, but I know others were moved - drawn to imagine the suffering servant described by the prophet Isaiah.

We’ve been given enough in God’s Word to show us what we need to know.

Yet, our imaginations can lead us in different directions. We each formulate our own understanding of God and Jesus, and these views can differ widely. For some, God is a God of love and blessing. For others, He’s a God of wrath and punishment. And for many, He is a God of grace and mercy.

So what is the truth?
The truth is found in Jesus. That’s what He came to bring.

The trial and crucifixion of Jesus aren’t comfortable places for our minds to dwell, but dwell there we must - at least for a time. The cross, the events surrounding it, and the love and grace of God expressed through it are what have saved us.

Saved—from what?
From eternal damnation, whatever that looks like. There are plenty of vivid imaginings of the hell that awaits the damned. Dante’s Inferno is just one. Imagination can, and does, run wild. But to what benefit?

There’s a song by MercyMe called "I Can Only Imagine", which imagines what it would be like to see Jesus face to face:

I can only imagine
What it will be like
When I walk by Your side
I can only imagine
What my eyes would see
When Your face is before me…

And it goes on, beautifully musing on what that glorious moment might hold.

When we allow our imaginations to be shaped by God’s creation, His Word, and His Spirit, we’re on safe ground. But when we let them be shaped by the evil around us, we’re standing on sinking sand.

Our imaginings are part of our thought life - and the Apostle Paul gives us clear guidance on where our thoughts should dwell:

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble,
whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -
if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.
Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me - put it into practice.
And the God of peace will be with you."
— Philippians 4:8-9

So, as we approach Easter, what better thing to imagine than the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ—and what that means for each one of us?
There can be no greater event to fix our thoughts on.