IMAGING

I Was Just Thinking About – IMAGING.

In the field of Psychology, imaging is: “a mental representation of something previously perceived in the absence of the original stimulus.” When used as a verb, it can mean: “to picture or represent in the mind; imagine; conceive.”  Medical Imaging refers to several different technologies employed to view the human body in order to diagnose, monitor or treat medically. Most are familiar with some of this technology, such as: X-Ray; MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging); Ultra-sound Imaging (sonography) which uses high frequency sound-waves to view inside the body. Ultrasound Images are seen in real-time and show the movement of the body’s internal organs as well as blood flowing through the blood vessels.

If you’ve been to a Cardiologist, you were probably recommended to have an echocardiogram examination. This is designed to disclose the size of the heart. If enlarged, it might be the result of high blood pressure, leaky heart valves, or heart failure (increase thickness of the ventricles (the heart’s lower chambers} and/or congenital heart defects such as holes in the heart.

Imaging has a far greater spiritual application. One passage, Jeremiah 17:9-10 states who conducts why this examination is needed and beneficial: “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure; who can fully understand it?” The answer given is: “I, the Lord, search the heart; I test the mind to reward a man according to his way by what his deeds deserve.” Is it any wonder that the Psalmist appealed to God – Psalm 139:23-24 (NLT), “Search me, O God, and know MY heart; test ME and know MY anxious thoughts. Point out anything in ME that offends You, and lead ME along the path of everlasting life.”

The writer of Proverbs offers sound counseling for one’s spiritual imaging. Proverbs 4:20-27 shares these imaging insights: (1) Pay attention to my words; (2) incline your ear to my sayings; (3) Keep them within your heart (they are life for those who find them and health to the whole body); (4) Guard your heart with all diligence; (5) Put away deception from your mouth; (6) Keep your lips from perverse speech; (7) Fix your eyes and gaze straight ahead along with Hebrews 12:2 – by looking only unto Jesus; (8) Make level paths for your feet and all your ways will be sure/certain; (9) Do not swerve to the right or to the left – with Isaiah 30:21 – “Whether you turn to the right or to the left your ears will hear the word behind you saying: This is the way. Walk in it.” (10) Always turn your feet away from evil. These words of counsel are precise and will serve one well in the spiritual journey and walk with the Lord.

Two other thoughts in this regard, the first are the words of Jesus Christ to anyone who desires to be His Disciple (follower) – Matthew 22:37 (NLT), “You must love he Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.” Second are the words penned by the Apostle Paul in terms of how one is enabled to do and be what is required in Scripture – Galatians 5:25 – “Since we live by the enablement of the Spirit, let us walk in step with the Spirit.”

Additionally, Romans 8:29 declares the ultimate goal and focus for the genuine Christian – we are “to be conformed to the image of God’s Son – Jesus Christ.”

Does any of this apply to YOU? Yes – all of it does! Do you know what and who you are to be as a genuine Christian? How do YOU answer before the one true God? There is no middle ground – you are either a genuine believer or a pretender. Make certain that YOU are a genuine believer and follower of Jesus Christ.

Prayerfully – consider these things with me.