I dream of gathering a group of musicians and singers whose desire is merely to use their talents to worship God. They don’t aspire to win the battle of the worship bands, or to release the next Top-Ten selling worship CD. They don’t really care if anyone knows their name. They will practice, even though they don’t have a church or function to play for. They will gather people to participate as one of them, not as an audience. They will gather and worship, even if no one else comes. They are concerned with impressing God, but no one else.

I dream of people who gather to minister to God; people who will sit in silence and wait for God to speak about what He cares about. People whose first concern is not whether or not they are too tired, or whether they are in the right mood. I dream of people who know their hunger can only be satisfied by an interactive relationship with their Creator. They gather to stand in agreement with God, to seek His face, and to pray according to His will. They have no desire to be noticed or named, except by God. They gather people, not to join a program, but to join their life. They know that they must decrease, and that only He must increase.

I dream of a time when I will be free from thoughts of self; when I can give voice to what God has spoken without fear of what others might think. I dream of a time when I can worship with all of the emotion that I have inside and give God all that He deserves. I dream of a time when I do not stop to wonder if anyone noticed how well I am playing or with how wise I am. I dream of a time when I truly don’t care about how others esteem me, and when I will be happy being known only to God. I dream of a time when I can truly say, "zeal for Your house consumes me."

I dream of a community of people who dream; who are tired of the way things are and who long for the way things could be. I dream of seeing God's glory come and fill our homes and sanctuaries, and of a time when God's people embrace and are satisfied with His presence; and of a time when it is our lives, not our words, that speak the loudest.

I think I am dreaming of the Church.

I know that it’s a lot to ask for; perhaps too much. But then I read Isaiah, Jeremiah, Amos . . . and I think that maybe it’s not too much after all.

So I have this dream.

 - The Ideologue