👀 Imagination & Vision Spark the Hero’s Journey
Where does imagination end and God-breathed vision begin? This is the account of an encounter in the night sky, an encounter over laundry, and an example of how to "come up higher" with God.
Scott's Story. In last month's newsletter, astrophysicist Scott Acton shared how he was looking at the night sky when "My imagination began to take over. I pictured the sky full of galaxies, like a van Gogh painting. In my mind’s eye, I could see them—more than I could ever count. And the galaxies were singing!"
He later commented privately to me, "I must say that the line between imagination and vision is not completely clear to me. Yet, this is what I experienced!"
There is good reason for us to be confused by the distinction between imagination and vision. Who can say?!? I believe the only one who can accurately tease those apart is Jesus himself, who with his double-edged Sword of the Spirit can penetrate between bone and marrow, between soul and spirit. They clearly ARE distinct, but also enmeshed at a micro level.
My Story. In our line of work, we often arrive at vision through the imagination, which is God’s amazing tool for interacting with us. It's essential for us and our clients to surrender our senses to God's use so that we can get the most benefit.
About 7 years ago, I was folding clothes on an ordinary day, when I [imagined? heard? sensed!] God asking me, Would you move to Los Angeles? I responded with a skeptical eye roll, Why would I want to do that?
Then in my mind’s eye, I saw a map of LA unfold in the air before me. As I looked at it, I realized ministers I respected and longed to meet and learn from lived in and around that city. I sensed myself leaning in and agreeing Yes! I will move to LA to have the opportunity to encounter them.
Unpacking Encounter. So was it my imagination or vision that produced that voice and map? Let's unpack this encounter in a literary Hero's Journey slow-mo:
Ordinary Day: My heart and mind were inclined toward God that day, and I was considering his ways, praising him for good things I'd witnessed. Thank you, and show me more! A posture of praise and appreciation is like catnip to God.
Call to Adventure: He offered me a question that took things much deeper. Isn't that what he does? I was feeling, "I love you, and I want more." He was responding with creative enthusiasm, "Wow! Oh yeah? How much? Do you trust me? Would you to leave your super comfortable life among a people and place you love to follow me? Even to a place that disgusts you?"
Refusal of the Call: In "hero's journey" terms, that was the invitation to the quest. I answered with a question of my own, partly retain a modicum of respect while being honest about my feelings of disdain. I have learned that he doesn't respond to my polished emotional whitewash. He won't even acknowledge that falsity. But he knew that I was conveying a hard core of truth: No, I do not want to move to Los Angeles for lots of reasons!
Meeting the Mentor: While still skeptical, I was deeply intrigued. So I paid attention to the thoughts drifting through my head, tuning in to curiosity. Why move? Why LA? What is up your sleeve? And that allowed God to work with my imagination to unfold a map as a vision. That was new to me; I have never deliberately imagined looking at a map with my Maker. I tuned in some more: What do you want me to see here? I started remembering potential mentors, people I wanted to learn from. I don't think the goal of this call was to meet them. Meeting them was a reward, like, If you follow me, these hopes and dreams will come to pass. And they have.
The fundamental invitation of God is always, Come up higher! I'm still living out that call in my life, imagination, and vision. When he calls you, I highly recommend that you meet him with appreciation, engagement, truth, curiosity, and acceptance.
...your Teacher will not hide himself anymore,
but your eyes shall see your Teacher.
And your ears shall hear a word behind you,
saying, “This is the way, walk in it,”
when you turn to the right
or when you turn to the left.
—Isaiah 30:20b-21 ESV