Experiencing God through Imagination

     Over the summer, it was incredible how many times the word “imagination” surfaced through reading, conversations, television, even the name of a museum “Imagine Nation” – in so many places!  As I prayed about why I couldn’t escape this word, I felt that the Lord was bringing attention to the importance of children’s imagination.  
     Children learn through their imagination.  "For years, imagination was thought of as a way for children to escape from reality, and once they reached a certain age, it was believed they would push fantasy aside and deal with the real world. But, increasingly, child-development experts are recognizing the importance of imagination and the role it plays in understanding reality. Imagination is necessary for learning about people and events we don't directly experience, such as history or events on the other side of the world." (Shirley Wang's article about the importance of imagination in children's cognitive development)

     This wonder-filled gift from God must be protected as it can become tainted and even destructive. I had the sensing that God was saying that He speaks to children through their imaginations, and that children have pure imaginations and can purely see Him. I stumbled upon something Bill Johnson wrote in regards to this in Dreaming with God. He said, “A yielded imagination becomes a sanctified imagination; and it's the sanctified imagination that is positioned for visions and dreams. There is great paranoia over the use of the imagination in the Church of the Western world.  As a result; unbelievers often lead the way in creative expression -- through the arts and inventions.  They have no bias against imagination. The imagination is like a canvas to a painter.  If it's clean, the artist has much to work with. God would love to use our imagination to paint His impressions upon; He just looks for those who are yielded.”
 

     This yielding is something some of the classes of Wellspring Kids are doing as they are “making room for God” by carving out time in class to be in His presence and hear His voice.  Children express their experiences with God by journaling prayers, images they see, things they hear. More of the classes will do this in the coming year with the emphasis that God gave us true accounts about people who experienced Him, and He continues to invite us to have experiences with Him today.  God's word is true and we will not outgrow Bible stories as we grow up.  

     It is so awesome to position kids for visions and dreams by cultivating spiritual disciplines at an early age. Besides speaking through children’s imaginations, God wants to use their imaginations in a pure way to bring the kingdom of God to every aspect of life.

     Please pray for an increase of revelation for our kids. God reveals Himself to His kids, and they can purely know Him. And we can learn about God through our kids’ encounters with Him!
 

     “Saturday @ 5” begins October 1st with Kids Church for ages 6-12; and childcare for ages 0 – 5 years in Nursery Room 4.  Kids Church will have a similar format to Sunday morning as there will be worship, teaching, scripture memorization, and time to “make room for God.”  

     It’s our goal to find teachers for preschoolers for Saturday nights. Please contact me Jenn Beglinger, Director of Wellspring Kids, if you have a heart to teach these little ones. Jenn@wellspring.net