Sanctified Imagination

As we continue this week to consider meditation as a means of drawing close to God, let’s remember that God has given us different ways for our mind to grasp spiritual reality.

We have a pair of mental operations, Imagination and Explanation, designed to work in tandem. When the gospel is given robust and healthy expression, the two work in graceful synchronicity. Explanation pins things down so that we can handle and use them–obey and teach, help and guide. Imagination opens things up so that we can grow into maturity¬–worship and adore, exclaim and honor, follow and trust. Explanation restricts, defines, and holds down; Imagination expands and lets loose. Explanation keeps our feet on the ground; Imagination lifts our head into the clouds. Explanation puts us in the harness; Imagination catapults us into mystery. Explanation reduces life to what can be used; Imagination enlarges life into what can be adored.

- Eugene H. Peterson, Under the Unpredictable Plant

With that in mind, take a moment and allow your imagination to run free with this verse that we talked about last Sunday. It comes after David calmed and quieted himself (see yesterday’s devotions). Then he uses an imaginative exercise to draw close to God. You might call it a sanctified imagination:

I have calmed and quieted myself,
I am like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child I am content.

- Psalm 131:2

Take a few deep breaths and relax your body. Then, guided by this verse, close your eyes and imagine cuddling up to Mother God. You don’t need Her breastmilk - you’ve been weaned. So you are just there to be with Her, to enjoy a few moments in quiet together.

…

Amen.