I’ve made the argument before that our rich imagination is the single greatest evidence that Homo sapiens sapiens (that’s our official name of our species) is distinct from all other animals, and we’re made in the image of God. Other animals have language, can solve problems, are self-aware, and use tools. But the ability to richly imagine something in our minds, discuss it, and create it is not evident in other plants and animals. God imagines, speaks, and it becomes so. We imagine, speak and work, and can create something new that did not exist before.
Imagination, like all gifts, must be stewarded. Stewardship means caring for it – feeding it healthy information, guarding it from harm, and exercising it in the service of God and others.
…
We should feed our imagination rich and good things. Healthy relationships with laughter (and struggles). Beauty of all kinds: literature, art, music, crafts. Productive work. Time in natural spaces.
We should not fuel our imagination with wickedness. This requires some maturity because we must be wise to the ways of evil, including the ugliness in our own hearts. I understand our fascination with the Borgias, the Godfather movies, stories about gangs – there is much to learn about power and human nature – but we should not want to be these people. I understand that some people (not me) like horror films, but we should not be seeking entertainment that puts us in the serial killer’s place.
Our imagination is like an engine. Don’t put diesel into an engine made for gasoline, even though they are both liquid hydrocarbons.
…
We steward things for their purpose. Curiosity is the driving force behind creativity. Curiosity emerges from exercising our well-fed imagination. Curiosity compounds.
Consume, consume, consume, but never create? That’s effectively constipation. Or more politely said, it’s like the Dead Sea, with no outlet for the incoming water other than evaporation. This is not what Jesus commanded when he said “Have salt in yourselves” (Mark 9:50, ESV). Flowing water is healthier than stagnant pools.
You and I need to use our imagination to develop questions, explore, dive beneath the visible surface, build and create physical manifestations of what was only in our minds. This is why we steward our imagination. Imagination fueled by wickedness only produces what will sicken others and reinforce our weaknesses. Imagination stocked with truth and beauty will serve as a springboard to create more truth and beauty.
Choose.
