Imagination in Dark Times

Lessons from a Firefly

By Rich Pérez

Let’s talk about imagination. I know, for some it feels like an unfamiliar guest at the table of faith. Many religious spaces are used to clear questions and clear answers, a well-defined path alongside Jesus. But what if I told you, imagination is the firefly that lights our way when the path gets dark.

We often forget the power of imagination in our faith journey. Perhaps it’s because we’ve encountered the story of Jesus through a lens of absolutes, a world painted in black and white. But the truth is, life and our relationship with God are filled with shades of gray.

Now, I’m not suggesting faith needs a shakeup from the tried and true. However, I do believe that those who struggle with embracing imagination in their faith are often the ones who find it hard to trust in God’s work outside of what’s familiar to them. They expect God to fit into neat boxes, and when he doesn’t, it breeds confusion and doubt. And when we are confused and filled with doubt, we are often unpleasant people to be around.

Remember the disciples struggling with the parable of the Good Samaritan? They couldn’t imagine God using a Samaritan, someone outside their social circle, as the epitome of compassion. This reveals the danger of rigid thinking in faith—it limits our ability to see God’s work unfold in unexpected ways.

The Power of ‘If’

Take the story of the bleeding woman in Mark 5. Imagine the physical and social torment she endured for twelve long years. Unclean in the eyes of society, she was ostracized, isolated, and burdened by pain.

Now, picture her saying, “If I just touch his clothes, I’ll be made well.” Notice the “if”? It’s not an expression of doubt about Jesus’ power to heal, but a reflection of her internal struggle. Can she push through the shame, the doubt, the seemingly impossible odds, to reach Jesus?

This, friends, is where imagination becomes crucial. It’s the bridge between the impossible and the hope that whispers possibilities. The bleeding woman, despite her hardships, didn’t let her imagination be extinguished. She dared to believe in a miracle, even when all odds seemed stacked against her.

Sister Teresa Okure, in her powerful article “The Bleeding Woman,” beautifully captures the essence of this story: “The story of the bleeding woman is the story of a woman who refused to sit back, resign to fate and allow herself to bleed to death.”

Crucially, this wasn’t about pulling herself up by her bootstraps. It wasn’t about sheer willpower. It was about her faith and imagination working in tandem, refusing to be crushed by disappointment or societal rejection. She held onto the belief that the whispers about Jesus were true, even when they defied the harsh reality surrounding her.

Just like a room needs darkness to appreciate the warmth of a lit candle, we need imagination to understand the depth and mystery of faith. It allows us to embrace the wonder and curiosity that ignite worship within us. As I delve deeper into my own faith journey, I realize that truly worshiping God isn’t just about what I know, but also about the awe I feel in the face of the unknown, the mysterious aspects of his presence.

Yes, we know God loves us. The cross of Jesus stands as a testament to that love. But in moments of darkness and personal failings, imagination helps us navigate the “whys” and “hows” that may elude us.

Remember how Jesus, in John 16, spoke to his disciples about their impending sorrow? He compared their grief to a woman in labor. Though the pain is immense, the joy of welcoming a new life into the world eclipses it all.

A Pastoral Reminder

Leader, let’s not forget that this story, like many others, transcends individual narratives. As Cuban historian Justo Gonzalez beautifully articulates, “The demons that Jesus conquers are not only those of disease and death, but also those of isolation and exclusion.”

When we embrace imagination in our faith, we break free from the shackles of limited perspectives, allowing us to see the circumstance with brutal honesty but also to see beyond the circumstance. We see that regardless of our “uncleanliness” or perceived flaws, we can find a place within the tapestry of God’s love.

Remain open today. Make room for our hearts to engage imagination. Let it ignite our faith in the face of darkness and lead us towards the joy that awaits.

Rich Pérez
CT Pastors, Content Strategist