I'll be the first to tell you I have a difficult time using my imagination. It's not that I can't use it…it's just difficult for me to see things that aren't really there.

For me this “lack of imagination” was most noticeable when I was looking at places to live. It was always the same—I would walk in, look at how a room was decorated, and be unable to imagine it looking any other way.

Now, I know interior design is a special skill, one not every person possesses. However, I didn't think I was someone who lacked that particular skill. But there I was, sitting in an empty, curtain-less room wondering just what was missing and why it didn't feel “right.” Well, I knew one reason was because there weren't any window covers. But there were lots of other little things as well.

Chuck Swindoll in his message What if You Had Been Mary? says imagination brings life, colour, and beauty to what would otherwise be dead, plain, and bland. I find this an intriguing concept. I mean, I've seen the shows where someone takes an old, out-dated, broken piece of furniture and turns it into something amazing, modern, and useable. Could I actually do this in my own home? Take the overwhelming blandness and turn it into something awesome? Apparently all it takes is a little bit of creativity!

It took many days and weeks of sitting and staring at walls and spaces before ideas began forming, but they did form. Turns out I was able to tap into my imagination. I was just really rusty.

Even though it was a long process, this experience gives me hope. I mean, if I can make my house feel like a home maybe I can use my imagination to make real impact in my neighbourhood. I suspect I am uniquely qualified to pitch in to my community in a meaningful way…I just have to learn how to spot the opportunities. I have to learn how to use my imagination to see what isn't there…but what could be.

The message, What if You Had Been Mary? is our LifeTrac free mp3 for December 2011. Make sure to download this imaginative message today—learn how to tap into your imagination to give new life to the Christmas story.