Imagine Part 1

December 20, 2024

​​​​​​​We invite you to this week's Daily Reflections on "Imagine."

Imagine Part 1

The root word of "imagine" is the Latin word imāginārī, which means "to fancy" or "to picture mentally." It's a derivative of "imago," which means image or likeness. 

To Imagine something is to picture it in our mind's eye. We can picture people, objects, ideas, activities, circumstances, and everything. Our mind not only creates still pictures (stills) but also creates entire imaginal movies. Our minds are well-trained to use images because our subconscious uses them every night to dream. 

One of the first references to "image” 'is found in the Old Testament. The theological concept of "Imago Dei" is Latin for "the image of God" and comes from Genesis 1:27, which states, "So God created mankind in his image, in the image of God he created mankind; male and female he created them." From the beginning, using images or likenesses has been essential in understanding ourselves, God, and the world. We do not know if our physical being represents a physical likeness of God. Some say it does… because our biological organisms can be considered as smaller versions of the physical universe. It is said that the human body is a smaller version of the totality of nature. Therefore, we are microcosms of the cosmos, created in the physical image of God. 

Theologians hold that the words "in God's image" refer to our being created to mirror God's qualities because we create, think, feel, act, have values, a moral compass, and a conscience. This is an important concept to consider when studying consciousness. One of the most critical tenets of soul work is that we have a divine nature. Theologian and author Frederick Buechner echoes this precept: he believed our original selves, our divine selves, are a source of wisdom, strength, and healing that can be drawn upon or not. 

It is easy to create God in our own image. Think of Michelangelo's ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, on which he painted an image of God. The image of an older white man with a long beard depicts his image of God. Michelangelo’s image of God is certainly not my concept and image of God. Yet each human who conceives of God must necessarily create an image of God or adopt someone else’s image.

It is very easy to create an image of God from what we project onto God. Our projections may have everything or nothing to do with God's most authentic nature. When we imagine what or who God is, we attribute to God all the qualities we want God to have, those qualities we learned and believed from others, and the qualities we personally experience God to have. When we make God in our image, it is not "Imago Dei" but "Imago Hominis" (in the image of humankind.)

Soul work includes removing our ego's projections and allowing God to reveal God's self to us without projecting onto God the attributes we want God to have. 

Spiritual practice: Read Frederick Buechner's quote “The Deepest Self.” How do his thoughts help you to imagine God? 

Self-inquiry: Is your image of God something that God revealed to you about God's nature? 

Dear God, You are beyond my imagination, yet you hold me in your arms. I rest in you. Amen