The LORD is There ."
Before concluding his writings, the Prophet Ezekiel shares an experience God gave him. Chapters 40-48 of his book detail the vision God gives to Ezekiel of a new temple and a new land for his people. Chapter 47 describes a living water (God's presence is one interpretation) trickling out from underneath the temple. In just 6000 feet, the small trickle turns into a river so wide no one can cross it. The river is remarkably life-giving. Trees grow all along the banks of the river - trees that produce fruit every month of the year for both food and medicine. When the river flows into the Dead Sea (the saltiest body of water on the earth) the water is made fresh and fish and plant life of all kinds grow and live within it. In short, when God's presence flows out of the temple into the new city/land the outcome is miraculous growth, incredible fruit production, and transformation from death to life.
After detailing how the new land will be divided among the people, Ezekiel names the new land he has seen. He calls it "The Lord is There." All who look upon the city can not help but see God's presence and his power displayed through the growth of his domain, the life he brings, and and the good works produced. This is my dream for Chicago. This is my dream for the major cities of the U.S. Imagine if people looked at our cities and no longer saw crime gangs, homelessness and pockets of darkness, but instead saw a community of love. Imagine if people saw places where people share resources in common instead of mega-millionaires living by people so impoverished they have no where to live. Imagine if people saw charity instead of greed. Imagine if people looked at Chicago and said "The Lord is There."
Of all the places, I believe major cities have the potential for this kind of radical change. Maybe it is just a dream God has given to me, but I often consider the potential that lies within the major city. Here is one example - a dream I often dream. Consider:
- A small community of believers decides to make Chicago their mission field. They move into a high rise condo building in downtown, pooling their resources to afford the high cost of living. Their mission, to reach discern and meet the needs of their neighbors. A church is started in the condo. Worship is held over a huge meal every week. The community lives as the Kingdom of God and neighbors take notice. Through evangelism, relationship building, serving and simply being a sign of God's presence, the small community begins to make a difference one just one floor in the high rise. Another church is planted on another floor, and then another and then another. Lives are changed, marriages are saved, hearts are turned to Christ. The kingdom of God comes to the building. As the Christian communities in the building continue to get together and worship and serve, they ask God to show them how to live missionally, how to be missionaries in their context.
- God, the God who sends his people, soon makes clear he wants 5 different individuals/couples to move into a building down the block. The communities appoint the 5 missionaries, lay hands upon them, pray for their ministry, and send them with the blessing of God. Soon another building bows its knee to Christ. Add a third building into the mix and you have potential for a movement to be launched. Thousand of people begin spreading the message, feeding the homeless, giving their possessions to the poor. Chicago, a city known for crooked politicians can be the light. People can look at it and say "The Lord is There."
Wherever you are, a pray you open you heart to the possibility God might want to send you into a major city to launch an epidemic of kingdom proportions. The major city near you might just be the epicenter of revival in our country. Don't get caught in your cave of isolation. Join the adventure.
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