Cultivating Imagination: 4 Ways to Strengthen Your Faith Through Imagination
Imagination and Faith belong to each other. In our expression as Catholic Christians, we are invited to enter into so many mysteries. Our sacraments are mystical, we pray mysteries of the Rosary, the list goes on. God is constantly asking us to enter into a space of imagination.
A myth about imagination that I would like to dispel is that imagination and imagining requires us to see things that aren’t real or create things in our heads which are separate from reality.
At times that is the exact opposite of what God is calling us- God invites us to imagine things that are real and go beyond our own perceived reality. He offers us a glimpse into a deeper spiritual reality. Those moments where our perceived reality and the deeper spiritual reality meet is where our imaginations can be cultivated and fed by God (literally through the Eucharist.) How beautiful is it that God wants to invite us into that space?
Imagination belongs in communion with God. Our faith drives us deeper into our relationships with God as do our imaginations. Our imaginations need to be fed, and a great place to start through the Word of God. So many stories are rich with these beautiful moments where the spiritual meets us in the physical: Jesus’s Resurrection and Ascension, Jesus’s miracles, Moses on Mt. Sinai, Elijah being taken into heaven in a fiery chariot, God appearing to Abraham, Gabriel meeting Mother Mary, the vision of the Temple in Ezekiel, or the entire book of Revelation.
All of this points to the spiritual which often requires our imagination to enter into. The word of God is living and active. It is waiting to give us revelation from God. When we enter into the story of salvation more deeply, God can reveal so much, imagining ourselves in this story. What would it be like to be Ester, Ruth, Mary Mother, Mary Magdalen? Imagination is integral to our Faith- it helps us begin to bridge the gap between the physical and spiritual, which is something God is always calling us to. When we attend Mass, heaven and earth meet, our sacrifice is then linked to Jesus’ death on the cross. It’s a beautiful mystery to enter into, and God gives us these gifts freely.
There is a limit to our imaginations when they are separate from God. When we take on the sole responsibility of cultivating our imagination, we lose some of the richness that God wants to show us. We are constantly looking for something we can’t find. We can only read so many books, watch so many movies, see so many plays, or even view so much art.
We often share what’s inspiring us or what we enjoy with our friends and families but God also wants to enter into that with you. God wants to show you a deeper spiritual truth in a movie you watch, He wants to share His heart in a song you listen to. God wants to enter into every single crack of our lives and wants to reveal Himself in all that we come in contact with.
We can’t always see it but when we invite God into those spaces we can begin to see Him or even better, imagine Him in everything.
Mary Beth Keenan, @mb_keenan.15.
I have the privilege of being an artist. The cultivation of my imagination is integral to my own personal vocation. But most of us live lives where we believe our imaginations aren’t needed, I am here to say that’s false.
Imagination is integral to all our vocations. The cultivation of our imaginations strengthens our vocations. When we are in vocations where that cultivation isn’t as obvious, we need it all the more. Imagination doesn’t just belong to me as an artist but to everyone and God wants to help you.
A great place to start is with prayer, telling God you want Him to expand your imagination. God wants to dream with us, He has so much he wants to show us. Imagination invigorates our faith, it calls us deeper to God’s heart. Imagination is a tool God uses to bring us closer to Him, to reveal His beauty in our lives.
Here are a few resources to assist in expanding your imagination:
The Rosary
Every mystery is a moment to enter into deep imagination with the invitation of the Holy Spirit to guide you. I recommend spending 30 seconds to a minute settling into the mystery. Ask yourself, “what time of day is it? What sounds do you hear? Where are you? What do you smell? Who’s with you? Most importantly, where is Jesus and how can you get closer to Him?”
Visio Divina/ Lectio Divina
Visio Divina is praying with sacred images and Lectio is praying with sacred scripture. Both are useful tools to help us be aware of God’s voice and how He speaks to you. There is a great resource from The Young Catholic Woman about Visio Divina to help you get started.
Being creative
God loves to hear about our creative endeavors. He delights when we create. We create as He created. This is a great way to let Him help you expand your imagination. This could be hand lettering, knitting (a personal favorite), baking, or even cooking. He wants all of it. Remember that nothing is wasted when we do it for God.
Engage with Catholic art and artists
This would be separate from Visio Divina. Find an image, statue, or even scripture passage that you love and hang it in your home. When you walk past it you can ask God “what do You want to tell me today?” This can also be reading Catholic authors like Tolkien, following artists on Instagram, or even praying for artists and their vocation. If you can’t find an image you love, commission one.
Imagination is integral to our Faith as Catholics. God invites us to expand and cultivate our imaginations with Him. Imagination belongs to all of us, it doesn’t require us stepping out of reality, but firmly grounds us in the space between the spiritual and physical. Imagination helps us become closer to God and opens our hearts to new ways God can speak to us.
Meet Holle Wade
Holle is an oil painter and film photographer with a passion for breaking the barriers between artists and the Church. She graduated from Hope College in 2020 with degrees in Studio Art and Art History. Holle is a vinyl collector, baker, avid knitter, and film buff (her favorite movie is La Haine.) When she’s not creating, (which is rare) you can find her riding her bike or laying in her hammock with a good book. You can find her on Instagram @hollecreates (and if you’re into knitting @holleknits)