The late John Lennon invited us to imagine a world where all was peaceful, simple, beautiful, harmonious – and religion-free. The problem, of course, is that such a world can never be. Lennon’s vision of utopia – literally, “no place” – is just that, with or without religion.

But that does not invalidate the role of imagination. Imagination is a uniquely human ability, at least, in its more sophisticated forms. By our imaginations we overcome the limitations of our past and transcend the boundaries of the present to inhabit new worlds and know new experiences which can be altogether beautiful, wonderful, and full of joy.

But such imaginings only come to reality when what we imagine conforms to the way things really are. Can you imagine yourself a more creative and caring person? Can you imagine yourself enjoying a closer walk with the Lord, doing more to reach the lost, sharing more generously of your time, resources, and abilities? That’s the kind of imagination that can actually come to pass, because it’s not imaging a fiction. It is, rather, simply envisioning your life blossoming in ways consistent with who you are as an image-bearer of God.

We are made in the image of God, and that simple fact opens the door for imaginings that soar in lofty and far-ranging ways, and actually can become true in our experience. “Have this mind in you that was also in Christ Jesus,” Paul wrote to the Philippians. Think about yourself as Jesus would think! Use the mind of Christ to envision how your circumstances might be changed as you walk by faith and not by sight.

Then draw on the indwelling power of God’s Spirit to grow and shape and form you into the image of God – the image of Jesus Christ, alive and growing in you (2 Cor. 3:12-18)!

Now there’s a way to engage your imagination that does not pine for some false utopia, but that fixes on an inner reality that can become outwardly true, increasingly, every single day. You are the image-bearer of God.

Imagine that!

Resources for this topic

Be sure to order your copy of our new DVD series, Doing the Right Thing. Here’s a resource you can share even with your non-Christian friends, to help them think about the ethical crisis which has settled on our nation, and what we can do about it.

Next steps:

1. Get a group of friends together to watch this week’s "Two-minute Warning." Then pass out one or two of Glenn Sunshine’s articles on the image of God. Invite your friends to join with you to study the entire series and to encourage one another in imagining a richer, fuller walk with the Lord in the year ahead.
2. Ask some unsaved friends to explain to you their understanding of the kind of creature a human being is. What does it mean to be human? What, if anything, sets us apart from the animals? Share Psalm 8:5-8 with your friends, and see how they respond to the idea of being made in the image of God. Be prepared, by reading some of Glenn Sunshine’s articles, to explain what being made in the image of God means.
3. Email today’s Talking Points column to several Christian friends. Challenge them to read some of the resources, watch the "Two-Minute Warning," and take on one of the activities.

A conversation starter

Here’s a conversation starter you can use with non-Christians: “I’ve been thinking a lot about what it means to be a human being. What do you think? What kind of creature is a human being? Are we really just some higher form of animal?”

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