When I read the last half of this chapter I am awed by the potential of this world under the sovereignty of Christ.  I see the vision that Isaiah gives us holds nothing back and gives us a full expansive view of what life in the new heaven and earth could look when God is allowed to rule over his creation.

I love this text!  This text allows me to do the one thing I am best at: dreaming.  Dreaming allows me to go beyond all conventions and explore territories that reality can’t afford.  I am convinced that with a fervent faith in Christ, we can do almost anything for the expansion of Christ’s ministry but for some reason, the Church is often stuck in a rut, without any ingenuity or daring to dream beyond the realm of tradition.  Churches in the ELCA fight over things that have nothing to do with the mission of Christ and everything to do with tradition. 

Tradition is a good thing.  It informs us of where we come from and what works and is important but tradition has kept potentiality from congregations.  Members start arguing over what makes a church instead of what does a church do.  Congregations begin to be more concerned about physical attributes and not ministry goals.  This is the stuff that Luther called ‘adiaphora.’ 

What would happen if every congregation in this world opened itself up for the working of God by literally going into the dark areas of society and reach out to those who are in desperate need of Christ’s mercy and tender love?  I know what would happen, a whole new creation would begin to take hold and Isaiah’s vision of a new heaven and earth would start appearing.  Sadly, so many congregations would rather argue the importance of altar railings, pulpit designs or building architecture than go out in the dark areas of this world.

I hope for this country that during this season of Lent, all of us Christians can forget about our own self and start dreaming a new vision – one complete with God’s work and presence.  My vision includes opening a church in the poorest area of Houston and reaching out to those people because they God’s mercy and grace, not because they are poor.  I dream of all of the Lutheran churches in Houston reaching out to the entire Lutheran community of New Orleans as they continue to recover.  In my vision I see us reaching out to all of God’s people in new ways like renting a bus for a day and driving people to their destination for free for the day, or opening up our building on cold days for those who lack heated facilities or on hot days because they have no air-conditioning. 

I know what my dreams are and I continue to pray to God for alignment.  What is your is the dream of your faith?  Do you have one?  Use this season to dream Godly dreams.

Prayer:  Dear Lord, align my will and soul to your vision so that your Glory may be revealed to those I may meet. Let my works be according to vision and may my strength be used as an instrument of your vision and works.  Amen.