The Gift Of Imagination

(Excerpt from David’s book “Creative In The Image of God”) 

Imagination has been overlooked, undervalued, feared and neglected by the people of God for a long time. We have so valued reason and rationalism and emphasized what we perceive with our natural senses that imagination has been relegated to something that everyone outgrows, except possibly a few eccentric artists or musicians. Jesus said “except you be as little children you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” Do you remember when you were a child and you played “army” with G.I. Joe plastic soldiers. Or maybe, like my daughters, you ladies pretended to be the Queen, or princesses, as you played “dress and dazzle.” I can’t count the number of imaginary hot dogs, pancakes or cups of tea or coffee I have been served by my children or grandchildren at imaginary restaurants. You may say that that is just something children do. I have discovered a wonderful thing: we don’t have to outgrow our imaginations, in fact, under the umbrella of God’s grace, our imaginations can grow as we do! God speaks to us through mental pictures, sounds, dreams, in myriad ways as we use our imaginations. A few years ago I was sharing some of my songs in a worship gathering in Athens, Greece. There were twenty-two different languages spoken by the people who had gathered. Though we had translators for 3 of the languages, I only speak English and I was growing frustrated at my inability to communicate.

Then I received an impression from the Holy Spirit: “David, stop talking and tell the people that you are going to just play (not sing) a new song as I inspire you, and I will use the music to whisper to the deep places in the hearts of these people through this new song from Me.” So I obeyed (that’s a BIG part of effectively-being creative) and told the audience to close their eyes and listen for the Voice and the Sounds of God. Then I began to play on the keyboard. (I like that we call it “playing.”) In my mind, my spirit, my imagination, I could hear the music that I believe was inspired from Heaven; and, as best I could reproduced what I heard by moving my fingers on the keyboard. As I finished a musical phrase, I would hear the next one and the music just flowed like that for probably five or six minutes.

It was exciting, fresh and, I believe, supernatural! After that meeting, several came up to me and told me that they had heard the Voice of the Lord speak to them through the music. Some had visions that they shared. One lady told me she saw herself as a little child in a field with other children, dancing and laughing with Jesus. That encounter with imagination and the Holy Spirit inspired me to record a whole ongoing series of spontaneous musical compositions called “FingerPaintings.” Also, as I travel and minister I try to facilitate moments like that in most of my concerts; moments of vulnerability, and opportunity for God to flow through me in a new song. Sometimes I also begin to sing a new song as well.

Psalms say “the streams of God are full of water.” Jesus said, “Whoever believes on Me, out of your innermost being shall flow rivers of living water.” He was speaking about the Holy Spirit Whom Jesus would give to whoever believes in Him. God, the Creator, is the Source of Creativity. God gives us the grace and the faith to wade in the water, realize that He is trustworthy and eventually, with child-like abandon, jump in the River and let the River of Life flow through us! I am not saying, of course, that there is no need to learn an instrument or grow in your ability to paint or learn the basics of dance, or study your preferred means of creative expression.

If I didn’t know how a particular melody or chord could be reproduced on the keyboard, my ability to flow would be very limited. God can (and has) just supernaturally overshadowed someone with no musical ability and given them the ability to play powerfully and beautifully. Most of the time, however, He chooses to work with us and infuse our ability and experience with His grace. As you continue to read, I trust that you will be inspired to practice playing what you hear in your heart, your imagination. Paint what you see with the eyes of your heart. Dance with the Creator of Movement. Write as you are inspired by the Author and Finisher of your faith. Sculpt with the One who holds the mountains and the islands, the sun, moon and stars and your heart in His hands!

Creative In The Image of God” links: Physical book Ebook Audiobook