Midweek Faith Lift
The Light of Imagination-Vision
Su Podraza-Nagle LUT
April 9, 2025
We continue today with the visioning power of imagination from Linda Martella-Whitsett’s book, Divine Audacity
Imagination: Our ability to dream of what has not yet manifest.
In the Revealing Word, The definition of imagination, in part is, “The faculty of mind that images and forms. The power to shape and form thought. The imaging faculty presides at the nerve center between the eyes. Through this faculty, the formless takes form. With our imagination we lay hold of ideas and clothe them in substance.”
Linda Martella- Whitsett states in her book Divine Audacity, “The visioning power of Imagination is our capacity to dream of what has not yet been manifested, to flesh out an idea, and to feel the benefit of it in advance of its fulfillment… Our brains are preset to see what we are looking for, which means we continuously create more of the familiar.”
Last week. Susan stated, “The significance of Imagination lies in its power to spark creativity, drive, personal evolution, and cultivate a more empathetic and innovative society.
As I sat in the silence, and considered these three points of light, I came to the realization just how remarkable we as a collective consciousness truly are.
When we think of creativity, and our faculty of mind, we can consider the many artists who share their vision with us through paintings, music, sculptures, and performing arts. Just to name a few of the ways art is expressed. We are drawn out of ourselves, admiring and feeling the brush strokes and colors of a painting, the floating notes of music being played which move us to tears or the outstanding performance of actors on stage that stir our senses and engage us in the moment.
I would like to underscore, that envisioning substance and creating the physical doesn’t always happen instantaneously.
Here are some moments of drive, personal evolution, empathy and innovation. The ability to lay hold of ideas and clothe these ideas in substance.
The earliest known tools made by humans are simple Oldowan stone tools, dating back to around 3.3 million years ago, discovered in Kenya. These tools, including hammerstones and sharp flakes, predate the genus Homo and suggest that tool-making was an activity undertaken by earlier hominin species. Today, we have multiple home improvement and hardware stores with many different types of equipment brought to manifestation through necessity, imagination and vision. Anyone need a hammer?
The visioning capacity of imagination was at work when the first vaccine was developed in 1796 for smallpox.
Leonardo De Vinci envisioned and drew up plans for a flying machine in approx.. 1490. 413 years later, the Wright brothers created the “Wright Flyer” and the visioning capacity of imagination has been creating jets, shuttles and rockets which not only transport us to places faster, we have also have the ability to explore space.
The visioning power of imagination in 1946, brought to the masses, in comic strip form a “2-way wrist radio” which a comic strip detective wore, and was inspired by inventor Al Gross. 53 years later, smart watches with phone function were put on the market.
In 1966 a new Sci-fi series was showing on TV. The writers for the show used their visioning power of imagination to create the communicator as a way for Capt. Kirk to get beamed back up to the ship. The first handheld mobile phone was demonstrated in New York City on April 3rd, 1973. It weighed about 4 lbs. 30 years after the TV showed aired, the “Flip phone” was born. Today, this work of substance is now called a smart phone.
Nothing has ever been created that has not first been imagined. Mind, Idea, Expression.
Myrtle Fillmore, co-founder of Unity, used her visioning faculty of imagination and affirmations to heal herself from the diagnosis of Tuberculosis. She held to the truth of her vision of being whole and healthy. She blessed every part of her body, seeing her organs and cells healthy.
Athletes use the visioning power of imagination to increase their performance.
Jesus, our way shower and Master Teacher used the divine power of imagination in speaking through parables and metaphors. When he spoke to the crowds, he invoked the power to visualize the story to stir in calling to those listening to action. To see within themselves the spirit of the law and not the letter of the law
The Good Samaritan parable highlights the lesson that there are those still evolving in their spiritual consciousness and will ignore those less fortunate and those suffering. We are called on to show compassion while healing the injured and in need. Jesus uses this story to teach that anyone, regardless of their background or beliefs, can be a neighbor to someone in need and that true compassion extends to everyone.
The Prodigal Son, to have compassion, forgiveness and be thankful. That we can always return to the Source of our divine inheritance. While we may create life experiences which may not always align with our highest spiritual good, we know, the kingdom of heaven is within and we can joyfully reconnect with God through prayer. Yes, you can go home again.
The Mustard Seed. One of my favorite stories and I’ve spoken about it before. The growth of a bush. (6-to 20 feet tall these bushes can grow to be) A metaphor spoken of how expansive our faith is, and our ability to move mountains. Seemly monumental life events! We thought we couldn’t see around them. Through mighty faith, obstacles diminish, and we are triumphant!
In each one of these snippets, the power of imagination was at work within you. You saw the stories as I spoke them. You used your visioning capacity to remember a person you helped. A moment when you forgave yourself and returned to the kingdom. Lastly, faith. Affirming how tall and strong is our faith. How deep are the roots, grounded in Truth.
The vision of imagination. It wraps around us as we create our day.
Meditation:
Settle gently in your seat and breathe in …. And out…
Relaxing, releasing, repeating as your breath becomes quiet and steady.
Now open to the vision of your power of imagination.
See your light connecting with those around you
See that moment……….hold that vision of light
Warm, bright, powerful………….
Now connect with others here outside these walls, building a light of healing and love…
Our light joins with others reflecting compassion…… forgiveness…… faith
Sit with this moment in the silence as we visualize the love, the care we have for ourselves, our family, strangers, and the world.
As we come back to this present moment, we affirm
“I claim my power of imagination now. I give form and shape to divine ideas and substance!”