The Wallpaper of Your Imagination: Cultivating the Habit of Finding God’s beauty
Guest post by Nancy Bartelt.
When I was a kid, I loved taking the two-hour road trip south across the Wisconsin-Illinois border to visit my grandparents. As soon as we arrived at their house, I’d always be greeted with a warm hug, huge smiles, and curious questions about my life. And—almost every time—the best-mashed potatoes in the world.
I would practically float with delight across the slightly uneven kitchen floor (just ask the rolling marbles), into my grandparents’ tiny living room to sit on one of the two little armless brown striped loveseats. Outside the front door, I relished playing on the wraparound porch with my cousins or running around the yard as I inhaled the amazing smell of those white lilacs by the steps.
When it was time for bed, I’d walk up the narrow, steep staircase, my right hand against the texture of the white-painted wall to steady myself. I’d sleep in the far bedroom on one of the twin beds with the matching pink flowy bedspreads. I loved being lulled to sleep by the sound of the train in the distance.
As I lay in bed, quiet but not ready to close my eyes, I’d gaze at the bright floral 60s-era wallpaper. Its intricate designs and swanky shades of pink, peach, yellow, and green mesmerized me. I never tired mentally of looking at that wallpaper, yet it probably helped my body succumb to my need for sleep. The bright colors and detailed lines were almost like a map of my imagination. It was beautiful, I loved it, and I can still picture it now, 40 years later.
A lifelong gift
If I had to choose only one word to describe how my relationship with God has changed over the past few years, imagination would be that word.
I’ve always had a close relationship with God—ups and downs for sure—, but the deep knowledge of being made, known, and held by His everlasting love is woven into the fabric of my life. Also, I’ve always had a great imagination, brimming with ideas and enthusiasm for the potential I see everywhere, in everything, and in everyone. Yet it’s only been recently that I’ve realized how intentional and powerful God’s gift of imagination is. That imagination is much more than something that comes with the package of being human. It’s so much more than something simply relegated to childhood and cast off when one is finally grown up.
Instead, I am ever more convinced that imagination is a crucial, lifelong present God gives us each day: a gift that deepens our sense of God’s presence. Imagination is a gateway to creativity and freedom. It opens our hearts and minds to God’s love and vision of Shalom for the world.
God’s imagination
The very first five words of the whole Bible are… say it with me? ;) “In the beginning, God created…” As expansive and complex as theology is going to get later, the very first idea in the story of God is new life. Throughout this very first chapter are woven the words, “God saw that it was good.”
Not once or twice, but seven times we read those words. God. saw. it. was. good. Of course, God must have intended it to be good and surely knew that it was good. But how beautiful that we get this glimpse of God gazing upon creation, recognizing it as good every step of the way. Do you sense with me, perhaps just a smidge, of God’s delight here? I love this little peek into God’s creative, imaginative process. God is calling new things into life left and right, and His joy is evident in it.
What’s on your wallpaper?
James K. A. Smith writes about the spiritual power of habit in his book You Are What You Love. He discusses the power of cultural liturgies, from the way we cheer and celebrate in sports stadiums to the impact of the architecture of shopping malls on our willingness to shop ‘til we drop.
I’ve always been intrigued by habits, and there are so many habits to consider: physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual. One of my favorite quotes from this fascinating book is:
“If God meets us as liturgical animals who are creatures of habit, he also meets us as imaginative animals who are moved and affected by the aesthetic. This key intuition about formation is as old as the Psalms. Desire-shaping worship isn't simply didactic; it is poetic. It paints a picture, spins metaphors, tells a story. in this way the gospel isn't just information stored in the intellect; it is a way of seeing the world that is the very wallpaper of our imagination.” (p. 107)
Oh friend, what does the wallpaper of your imagination look like in this season? Do you see vibrant colors and beauty, or is there a weepy, watercolor-y ache painted there? How are you experiencing God? How are you longing to encounter God?
In these noisy, polarizing, incredibly turbulent, and exhausting times, God calls us to remember His rhythms of grace.
God calls us to rest.
God calls us to lift our prayers and groans with the Holy Spirit when we have no words.
God gently invites us to be cradled in and to create with the love of Christ.
Reflect
How have you experienced the beauty of God lately?
If you are in a darker, desolate season, how have you experienced God’s beauty in the past?
In your current season, what habits (creative or otherwise) draw you toward the beauty of God or away from it?
