Imagination is powerful.
On a cold winter day I can imagine sitting on the beach in the warm sun with waves splashing in the sand. That’s good.
I can also imagine that not getting enough likes on my post means I’m a failure and nobody likes me. I can imagine that tomorrow is just going to be too much to handle. That I’m a loser for missing another deadline. Or that I deserve the pain and loneliness.
I can also imagine that God accepts me because I’ve done some pretty good things, so I don’t need to confess, repent, pray or go to church.
Imagination is powerful. Dangerously and deceptively powerful, if it isn’t guided by something outside of it.
If you are left alone with only your own thoughts, listening only to your own self-talk, you will not drift toward God but away from him. You will grab onto uncertainties and lies like they are true. But they are not.
God gives you something better than imagination. He gives you identity. Identity is clear and certain.
There is no question about who God says you are. Especially when you are a baptized sinner. Yes, a sinner. We all sin. We all fall short of perfection. We all choose our way over God’s way.
That’s not your identity, however, when you are baptized. Your identity is “child of God.” That is as certain as your biological existence from two parents. You can’t change it. They can’t change it.
In baptism God promises that your sins are forgiven, washed way, and he doesn’t see a naughty boy or girl but a perfect and holy child of God. He chooses you. Chooses to love you.
He makes your identity certain. Your peace is certain. Your joy is certain. It’s not your imagination when you face the morning and say, “This is going to be a great day, because I belong to God and God made this day. I’m better than okay. I’m full of life and courage.” It’s your identity.
Nothing changes your identity as a baptized child of God, not even your imagination.
“In Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ” (Galatians 3:26,27).
Take a look at the word “imagination” and about in the middle what letter do you see? “I.” That’s where imagination takes you. Yourself. That’s it.
Now look at “identity,” real close to the middle is a “t” that represents the cross of Jesus Christ. That’s certain and so is your salvation.
PRAYER: God, I can imagine some crazy bad things that are deceptive and dangerous. I surrender my imagination to you, and to the identity you have given me in baptism. Define me today by your gracious power and promise. And let me believe it. Fully. Forever. Amen.
EVANGELISM ACTION: Ask a friend who needs Jesus about the middle of the words “imagination” and “identity.” Then share this devotion.
