Devotionals for the Heart: Why we should invite God into our imagination

Inviting God into My Imagination
A devotional by Lynette Allcock Yoon

“Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? … So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.”—Matthew 6:27, 31-32 (NLT)

I sat at the bus stop, watching a tiny old lady pushing a mountain of cardboard on cart down the road. Her back was bent almost double, but her arms were strong. She seemed unfazed as she pushed the tower of flattened boxes toward the recycling center around the corner, where she would get a meager amount of money for her hard work.

I noticed another elderly lady fishing tin cans out of trash bags on the side of the road. She could also take these to the recycling center and receive a little money. In my opinion, these old ladies should be resting, after their long years of hard work. But in fact, many older people cannot afford to rest. They still need income, and the unpleasant task of collecting recyclables is one way they can get it.

As I watched this scene, that I had observed so many times before, I started to worry about growing old in Korea. This country has the highest rate of old-age poverty in the international Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). My heart often aches for the grandmas and grandpas I see doing menial, labor-intensive tasks to try and make ends meet.

As a foreigner married to a Korean, the prospect of old age in Korea makes me anxious at times. I spent an evening tossing and turning in bed, wondering if we would be similarly poor and struggling when we reached old age. Depressing visions and statistics danced through my head.

The next morning, I turned on my devotional app to listen as I got ready for the day. Suddenly, a couple of verses jumped out at me: “Now, in my old age, don’t set me aside. Don’t abandon me when my strength is failing.” (Psalm 71:9 NLT)

God’s Word (The Holy Bible) says that He cared for us since we were born. God says, “I will be your God throughout your lifetime—until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.” (Isaiah 46:3-4 NLT)

They were such appropriate verses for the previous night’s worries! It felt like a nudge from God not to be afraid, but to include Him in my imagination of what the future could look like.

Of course, I have no idea where I will be or what I’ll be doing by the time I reach retirement age. I know that every country has its own problems; even if I went back to my home country of the United Kingdom, I would face challenges. I know that life shifts and changes.

So, instead of creating a gloomy image of a future that may or may not come to pass, I can focus my thoughts on the God who promises to care for me throughout my lifetime. And that is what I invite you to do, too. Turn your thoughts and your imagination toward the God who loves you.

None of us know exactly what the future will hold. There seems to be a lot to worry about—whether we’re anxious about our old age, job situation, health, family, or something else. It can be all too easy to let our imagination go down dark paths, thinking of worst-case scenarios, wondering how we can take care of ourselves if such and such happens, and completely forgetting the promises of God. In those moments, let’s invite God into our imagination. Let’s ask Him to give us a vision of the future that includes His promises to guide, provide, and care for us.

Let’s Pray: Father God, You know the fears and anxieties that we wrestle with often. You know the uncertainties we face in life. But we praise You that we can be sure of your loving presence and care. We bring You our burdens and cast all of our anxieties on You, just as You invite us to do in 1 Peter 5:7. Give us Your peace and light up the dark places in our imaginations. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Like You Love Me” by Tauren Wells. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “I Know Who Holds Tomorrow” by Bill & Gloria Gaither. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Lynette Allcock Yoon is a writer, teacher, and former radio host. 

She grew up in three countries and now lives in South Korea with her husband.

Lynette writes about life abroad, faith, and relationships from an expat, Third Culture Kid (TCK) perspective.

Outside of work, Lynette enjoys musical theatre and long walks with good friends.

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Connect with Lynette:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wordsforwanderers/
Website: https://www.lynetteallcock.com/