The Church I See Poem by Curtis Johnson

I See A Church
By Curtis Johnson

I lay there, quietly and very much awake, having gotten into bed just a few minutes prior. I looked toward the clock on the dresser, and it was 11: 51 PM. I do not know if it was a vision, but it was clearly not a dream. I was sensitive to my surroundings and did not want to disturb my sleeping wife. So I continued to lie there as words and sentences formed themselves on the pages of my mind. Four leading words, “I See A Church” were the four words and that was the subject of it all. Since I do not know, I will leave its meaning to God; but I was certain that I was to share this with my Pastor first. I believe that it is from God, and now in condensed form, I share it with you. This is what I received:

I see a church whose membership is discovering its gifts and beginning to use them for the glory of God. I see a church with a choir and worship leaders whose primary goal is not to entertain the souls of people, but rather to worship the Almighty God and inspire the spirit of the Body of Christ.

I see a church, not dissected but connected; not scattered but gathered; not divided, devoured, and driven, but devoted and disciplined. I see a church bold and free, gifted and generous, young and old, traditional and contemporary. I see a church busting at its spiritual seams, ready to break forth, ready to reach the stars, and willing to descend to the depths to reach others. I see a church that’s not simply hopping along, reaching within, gently nesting and barely hanging on, and waiting for the rapture. No, I see a church powerful, passionate, prosperous, and pure, reaching out to the poor and everyone else, especially to ‘the lost’ and ‘the least of these’.

I see a church infected with an incurable passion for its God, and not for earthly gain.
I see a church infused with an agape love for people, and not with an illusional thirst for power. I see a church ready to be ‘caught up’ to meet Christ in the air, but is also willing to labor hard, love divinely, live holy, and occupy until “He Comes”.

I see a church working and worshiping, running and leaping for joy, preaching and praying and praising God. I see a church singing and shouting, living and loving, caring and crying; caring for those in need and crying with those in pain.

I see a church with pews filled from front to back. I see people filling both services as they flow through the foyer. I see people who talk different, look different, and walk different, being welcomed and embraced by the church. I see ‘the new comers’ being loved by ‘the over comers’. I see the manifestations of the mighty hands of God who has invaded the sanctuary of our hearts. I see the love of God saturating the souls of the saints and breaking down the resisting and defensive walls of sinners. I see a church who has prayed until the revival fires of God have set it ablaze. I see souls being added to its number by the Power of God and not by the polls of people.

I see a church that’s bold like a lion, wise like a serpent, frugal like an ant, and harmless like a dove. I see a Church that bows to no one but its God; neither man nor mouse; neither king nor queen; neither president nor potentate, neither judge nor Head of State. She only bows to The King Of Kings And Lord Of Lords. (01132011,11: 51PMPT)