The batter walked to the plate with a confident stride. As he took his stance in the batter’s box he clawed at the ground with the spikes of right shoe, building a firm foundation for his powerful swing. Now firmly imbedded, he began taking his customary three practice swings, while bringing himself into focus for the battle that awaited. He became unaware of the crowd, not hearing the cheers of the fans. A chiseled crease in his forehead displayed his concentration, as he stared toward the mound, awaiting the pitch.

As the pitcher begins his delivery the eyes of the batter zero in on the small off-white orb that is pieced together with red stitches. The stitches that will speak to the eagle eye of the batter, announcing the balls rotation…and now, the batter knows… Only a split second before he was wondering, will it be a curve ball? A slider? Will he be foolish enough to challenge me with his best, yet futile, fastball? Yes now, the question is no more. Suddenly with the quickness of lightning he unleashes the powerful swing that will send the ball on its reverse flight. A flight that will take the ball to the waiting hands of a cheering fan, who can’t believe his luck while catching a home run ball in the upper deck of straight away center. The batter begins his jog around the bases as the stadium erupts in the realization of a world championship.

I was there. I witnessed it. And I was overjoyed. The scene wasn’t a movie with a sappy, one last time to be a hero, ending. It didn’t take place at Yankee Stadium, or even the little league ballpark down the street. The dirt being clawed by the cleats of the batter’s shoe was in reality…carpet, and the shoe with the cleats, the bare foot of a five year old. His jog around the bases was a lap around the living room coffee table.

Was it real? No. Not even to the five year old. But, was it important? Yes. Because it showed his imagination. It showed his dream. It portrayed a desire. 

Without imagination, without dreams, without what if, there is no growth. The funny thing is we expect a five year old to have an imagination. We know it helps them develop a strong mind. We expect, and sometimes grow tired, of the endless questions they ask, but we hope they continue to ask the questions.  We encourage them to dream dreams. Yet as they grow older, and imagine things we don’t think are possible, we begin to squelch those dreams.

There are two things I want to encourage you imagine today, the second more important than the first.  First, I want you to imagine, dream, and even fantasize about what you would do with your life if you had the chance. I want you to ask yourself, “if I could do anything I wanted to do for a living, what would it be?.” I want you to be real about this. I don’t mean something physically impossible. I am fifty-three years old, stand five foot, four inches tall, (maybe) and weigh one hundred thirty eight pounds. I am not going to be a Hall of Fame, NFL quarterback. I mean, dream of doing what you enjoy doing the most. Imagine doing what people say you were born to do. And then, go do it. You will be happiest doing what God made you to do. You will be your best doing what God made you to do.

Second, I want you to imagine, dream, and even fantasize about eternity. Turn your thoughts to living for God. Here are a couple of passages that might help you get started in the right direction.

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Colossians 3:17
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Finally, some time today, imagine, dream, and fantasize, the words of this song.

I can only imagine what it will be like
When I walk by your side
I can only imagine what my eyes will see
When your face is before me
I can only imagine
I can only imagine

Surrounded by your glory
What will my heart feel?
Will I dance for you Jesus?
Or in awe of you be still?
Will I stand in your presence?
Or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing hallelujah?
Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine
I can only imagine

I can only imagine when that day comes
When I find myself standing in the Son
I can only imagine when all I will do
Is forever, forever worship you
I can only imagine
I can only imagine

I can only imagine
I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever, forever worship you
I can only imagine.

(Copied from, www.sing365.com Mercy Me lyrics)

Till next time,

Grump