Why the high wall of our imagination will never be high enough
By Dean Collins
Imagination spurs many good things. When we are looking back in time, imagination can help us consider what might have happened. Imagination can inform our understanding of those who have gone before us and can help us discover new ways to live in the future. Art, music, technology, and inventions begin with someone imagining a way to represent beauty, create new melodies, make life easier, or find breakthroughs that improve our health. The imagination of children that brings such enjoyment to us is also critical to their social and cognitive development.
But sometimes imagination fails us. In January of 2019 very few imagined the impact of Covid-19. I suspect none of us could have foreseen cities and countries shutting down. Some claim it was political failure, others that we did or didn’t trust science; but none of us can deny that a virus invisible to the naked eye could and did wreak such destruction and forever alter the lives of millions because of death, economic setbacks, or educational interruptions
Our high wall of imagination in early 2019 seemed impenetrable. But census data collected by Brookings showed historic population losses due to the pandemic. Millions of people left the biggest and most powerful cities hoping for a better way to live.
Better than imagination
Proverbs 18:10-12 gives us a contrast: “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe. A rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and like a high wall in his imagination.”
The choices are to run to God as our source of strength or to trust in the imaginary wall of accumulated wealth as our protection and strength. Scripture, history, and personal experience strengthen our confidence that God is indeed our strong tower. He is the safe place to run in times of trouble.
Financial planning is important and helps us prepare for many difficulties in life. We often buy insurance policies, make budgets, or invest in our retirement accounts to help us anticipate the unpredictable. At the same time, we must be careful not to drift toward thinking that we can ever accumulate enough wealth or buy enough insurance to guarantee we are safe and secure from every possible economic, health, or political problem that may come. Economies fail, wars begin, and new and old diseases often stubbornly resist treatment. Before we realize it, we might find ourselves thinking the high wall of our imagination creates ultimate safety. God’s Word says otherwise.
A safer path
Just as in athletic competition, wars, and business, pride can and will trip us up. Our hearts and minds can become haughty, and the next thing you know our world can collapse. Humility is the better path. Trusting in the Lord with all our hearts and not leaning on our own understanding is surely the safer and more secure path regardless of the topic.
Go ahead and let your imagination lead you to new understandings in business, with inventions, and in preparing for the future. But be careful not to drift into believing your imagination is a high wall that makes all things secure. Only in the Lord will we find a tower strong enough for today and anything that might come tomorrow.
Your time with God’s Word
Proverbs 18:10-12 ESV
Photo by Dušan veverkolog at Unsplash.
To receive daily posts delivered directly to your inbox, complete the form at the bottom of our home page.
To download a printable version of today’s post, click here.
