Seeing the Future (Part 2)
Imagineering is a Disney word (It is the R & D part of the company that focuses on creating and design). The need to make imagination a verb reminds us of the need it, especially to see into the future. What’s implied is obvious: We don’t “see” into the future with our “normal” rational mind. We must use something else.
The imagination.
Something about the imagined future shared between humans connects us to our core. Again, when MLK goes off into his dream speech for the future he is imagining scenes. He is “seeing” into the future and describing it for the rest of us who are not quite there yet.
Now if MLK’s vision of that future did not in some way stir our souls or resonate with our imagination, nothing would have happened. But something did happen. A new song was loosed in our souls. This vision inspired us. There was something deeply true and connective about it.
His vision awakened mine. I had the same vision. I just didn’t know it yet. That’s the power here. Imagination is not unique to one person. We all have one. And when we share it, we do so in similar human contexts around the world. We are not the only one with the vision. We are just the one articulating it.
That is what makes a vision a vision, or at least what makes it compelling. God does not simply give it to one person, though someone must articulate it in such as way so as to inspire others toward its realization. That part is unique, and where great skill and spiritual power come into play.
How an individual person is called to carry the vision and articulate it is a mystery. It is a shared burden to be sure. God communicates first. To many. Many can feel the need. Many begin to make cases for change. Many are moved to action. But one is given the unique power to speak in ways that move us deeply.
Someone must lead.
Otherwise most remain stagnant. Unable to articulate clearly the vision. Unable to organize future thoughts. Unable to get the gears turning. A leader must emerge. A leader must become the spearhead. His or words become the engine that make things start to actually move. Words start to move people.
Again the leader does not put the vision into the hearts of people. It is already there! He or she simply articulates clearly what is tacitly there. That is the mystery. People are astounded when they hear someone articulate what they are so clearly thinking. This vision is not their own. It belongs to God.
When those words or that song finally give air to the vision in our heart, we can hardly stay in our seats. Someone has put into words what we have been dreaming of. It IS possible. There are others out there who share this burden. A shared vision of the future gives us humans real hope and meaning.
Vision is power. Insurmountable power. Unstoppable power.
