Imagination - Memory, Feeling and Interpretation (Part 4)

God created our brain in such a way that it captures images. Our memory gives us access to images from the past. Every image we remember is marinated in feelings. So if I (Rich) ask you to tell me about your favorite vacation you will give me an explanation of your images. The explanation of your images is your interpretation of the re-presentation of what you lived on vacation. The interpretation is guided by the feelings affixed to the memory of your vacation. Now this interpretation reality is very, very important.We come to an understanding of our self and our life by stringing together a series of memories over our life span. And we give these memories our interpretation in large part in light of our feelings. Our interpretation is how we know ourselves and understand who we are. It is how we explain ourselves to ourselves and to others.I learned this early in pastoral ministry. When I went to visit families in my church to get to know them as a young pastor I was eager to talk to them about the Lord and discuss their relationship with the Lord. But guess what they wanted to do? They wanted to tell me stories. At first I thought their stories were a waste of my time. Then I happened to go to a training session on caring for souls and the guy said, “When people tell you who they are, they will always tell you a story. Their story is their identity. It is the interpretation of their life.” That changed how I did ministry. I discovered that if I would listen to their story I could build bridges into their souls with God’s story.Who is listening to your story? Who has heard your story?