Joe was tired…discouraged…his life was humdrum…so ordinary…no excitement…just plain. His job was boring, his car was boring, his house was boring. It seemed everything in his life was boring. Joe was afraid to admit it, but it was very possible that his whole problem evolved around the strong possibility that his heart was boring.

One cold winter evening, in early January, while he was spending idle moments turning inward by dwelling on his boredom and intentionally not feeling thankful for anything. Huddled in his easy chair with three blankets, Joe made an executive decision that he was going to make some major changes in his life. Of course, if I was to state Joe’s intentions accurately, I would have to say that he made the decision to make some major changes in the “things” in his life. Tossing aside one of his blankets and crumpling up his empty potato chip bag, Joe posed this question to his Basset Hound, Boris, “well buddy boy, what do you say we stir things up a little around here? You up for that?” Boris struggled to get out of his dog bed without getting high centered, then wiggled over and laid his head on Joe’s foot, affirming his loyalty. If he could have spoken, I’m pretty sure Boris would have answered like this,”Well, golly, I’ve been your short legged, tri-colored faithful hound dog going on sumpthun like seven, ah, what you call those things again???  Oh ya! Years! And all this time I never seen you get much excited about ‘doin  anything, but I reckon if you wanna try it, I’ll be right here with ya all the way. Just don’t go changin my food or my bones! Anything else, you can change every day if it makes you happy.” After expressing his feelings clearly, Boris dozed off dreaming of having long legs and being able to run and jump over fences and imagining  what it would be like to have the perfect back yard to play in with soft ground in which to bury his bones.

Joe thought how his life would be different, fun and full and purposeful again if he made some big changes. He began making a list. “Wow! This could be a lot more work than I thought.” Joe said to Boris, who was still running like a Greyhound in his dreams, adding the special sound effects of an occasional, muffled yelp. As Joe read down the list to Boris, he realized some of these changes would take months or maybe even years as well as costing considerable money. “Hey! Let’s tackle this one first!” Joe said to Boris, who by now, was adding a little animation to his dream by twitching his front legs every time he yelped.”This wouldn’t cost us anything and we could start anytime. Change churches! Well, nothing personal, Boris, you will probably have to stay home. But hey! I’ll make sure you have a fresh bone every Sunday morning before I leave. Yes sir, old buddy. I’m ready to find the perfect church! It has to be out there, somewhere. Doesn’t it?”

Waken by Joe leaping from his chair, Boris watched as Joe dashed across the floor of the cold house to the next room and without hardly stopping, grabbed his laptop from the table and returned swiftly to his warm comfy chair. Boris thought to himself,” I haven’t seen him move that fast in a long time! What a goof ball. But I love him!”  Patiently Boris waited for Joe to place his foot back on the floor in front of him so he could resume his position and continue jumping fences and burying bones.

Joe was excited to begin surfing the websites of the many churches in his city. He had never realized how many different church names there were and how they each had original mission statements. After an hour of reading and looking at pictures his head was buzzing. “Boris.” Said Joe. “They all sound good and I agree with all those mission goals and their statements of faith. How will I find the perfect church?” Feeling somewhat overwhelmed, Joe decided to sleep on it and take a fresh look in the morning. After lifting Boris up on to the bed and helping him find the perfect spot to nuzzle in, Joe drifted off to sleep, uttering on the way, “Lord, show me the perfect church.”

Upon entering the dream zone, Joe imagined that God sent an angel to lead him to the perfect church… He sat up abruptly to find the angel sitting on the side of his bed! “Who… Who are you?” Joe asked with a shaky voice. With a deep, clear voice the angel spoke,” My name is not important. I am guardian and revealer of divine truth and righteousness.” “Oh” Joe said, with a loss for words. ” I am sent from the Lord Most High. I’m supposed to tell you to fear not, however, I think it might be good for you to have a little fear right now.” Stated the angel. By this time Boris had his head under the blankets. The angel then stated with authority,” My orders are to take you to the perfect church, so let’s get get moving, Joe.” “Huh? Shoes?” Asked Joe. “Come as you are. You won’t be doing much walking.” Answered the angel, as he motioned for Joe to follow him. And off they went!

In an instant, they were standing in what looked like an old warehouse. It stretched for as far as his eyes could see! The crumbling stone walls had been patched with wood and plaster. Joe felt like he had been there before, but then he wondered  how that could be? Years from the past and into the future were scribbled on the walls and ceiling. Worship music filled the air. It sounded both contemporary and ancient and blended together for a sensational harmony like Joe had never heard before. Along with all the singing and playing of instruments, the glory, power, redemption and love of God was being clearly proclaimed as people were reading aloud from the Holy Word and then sharing what they had read with crowds of people of every color and age. The crowds were worshiping. Some with hands raised, others with heads bowed, some with tears flowing, some were dancing while others shouted, “Hallelujah! “The Angel pointed to the right. There, Joe saw the redeemed from every nation, with hands joined, offering up words of praise and thanksgiving and pleading requests of God. Joe smelled a sweet fragrance and turned to the angel for explanation. “Nope, it’s not me!” Stated the angel as he directed Joe’s eyes upward. Joe was filled with awe as he watched the prayers of the people rise toward Heaven like incense! Joe proclaimed, “I just read about that in the Book Of Revelation!” “Look.” Demanded the angel, as he pointed to men and women going out armed with the sword of the Spirit and the shield of faith and the helmet of salvation. The angel explained, “They are going out to give the message of eternal hope to those who live on the streets, in shelters, care homes, hospitals, orphanages, prisons, out into the wilderness and even into the churches”. In the corner Joe saw people preparing food for the hungry and for those who are grieving and hurting.  Some were sewing new clothes for children while others were making toys for them and the whole time they were teaching the children about Jesus! The sick and injured were lying on beds where believers were caring for them, anointing them and praying over them. The dying were being comforted. The down and out were being lifted up and those who suffered under evil spirits and addictions were freed through the power of the Blood of Christ! Without stopping what they were doing, each person was proclaiming, “Jesus Christ, Lord of All! The Way and The Truth and The Life to all who are seeking God and desire Heaven!” Then Joe gasped! He was actually able to see the Holy Spirit entering into the souls of all those who were being forgiven of their sins and placing their trust into the Lord God alone through His Only Son.  Joe was in total amazement! As the sinners turned away from false gods and everything worldly that they had been trusting in, the darkness that had lived in them was shattered and cast out by the most brilliant light Joe had ever seen!

Frantically, Joe searched for the name of the place. “Surely this angel has brought me to the perfect church!” He thought. “But I don’t get it. What and where is this?” Disappointed, Joe was about to ask the angel where they were and the meaning of all he had just seen, when he was startled to discover they were hovering over a river where new believers were being baptized! A swinging bridge, crowded with people hung low over the water. On the river bank were gray haired fishermen teaching young men how to catch fish for food and how to catch men for the Kingdom of God. A woman sat on the green grass under an enormous Oak tree reading from the Bible to anyone who would stop and listen while children climbed up and sat on the tree’s branches. A basket holding twelve kinds of fruit was passed to all those who joined her as she read. To his left was a familiar city where people were living lives that honored God in their homes, workplaces and schools. He saw others who would not acknowledge Jehovah God as sovereign and were placing their trust in things and false gods.  Suddenly, Joe felt a chill run through his body as he watched what looked to be spiritual warfare between good and evil while the citizens of the city went about their daily tasks, unaware of the fierce battle around them.

Feeling very uneasy, Joe spoke up, “Uh, I’m ready to go home now.” “No you are not!” Fired back the angel. Slightly annoyed by this by this angel with an attitude, Joe raised his voice in response. “Look at me! Here I am in my night clothes and you are parading me around like I’m…” “Stop right there, Joe!” The angel snapped back with a look that traveled into Joe’s very soul. After a moment of silence, the angel went on. “You people have  a problem of carelessly speaking words that you will later regret. I can take you back only after I show you all the Father wants you to see. Joe, you need to trust H. S. He knows what He is doing.” Dumbfounded and without thinking, Joe blurted out, “who in the world is HS?” Controlled and focused, the angel answered. “The H-O-L-Y  S-P-I-R-I-T , Joe.  He dwells in you because you have been washed in the blood of the Lamb of God. You are sealed in Him! He is your guarantee that you will forever be with the Lord! He reminds you of all truth and guides you in understanding  the Word of the Lord. Joe, come to your senses. Trust Him!” Embarrassed, Joe said nothing. He now realized this was not just an angel out for a joy ride. This excursion surely held a divine purpose for him.. Now in silent reverence, Joe braced himself for whatever he was about to experience next.

Feeling convicted, Joe prayed, “Lord please forgive me.” The sound of gunshots sent Joe whirling to see men and women firing guns into a little metal shack where teens were holding a Bible School for children. “Do something!” Joe screamed to the angel, “Stop them!” Placing his hands on Joe’s shoulders to calm him, the angel said, “Joe, we are only witnesses in another time and another place. We are in Cambodia. The year is 1976. I cannot change history nor can I change the present. I can only do what the Father instructs me to do and that includes encouraging you and challenging you to be careful and cautious about the decisions you make that will impact your future.

While Joe was still in shock over what he had just seen, the angel transported him to an old courtyard in a city with a great stone wall around it. He saw workmen laying stones over an opening in the wall. As the angel moved him in closer, Joe could see a woman trapped inside the wall proclaiming Jesus as Lord! Joe screamed, “We have to help her!” The angel spoke softly, “Joe, this is Flounders and the year is 1500 AD.” The angel then pointed to a sign which had been erected on top of the wall directly over where the woman was being buried alive. The sign read, “Wrunken, a young maid servant, sentenced to death by suffocation for reading her Bible.” As the men laid the last stone, Joe could hear the young woman praying, “Lord, please forgive them. They don’t understand… Jesus loves you!… I’m coming home!…” As the angel spun Joe around and around and he saw multitudes of believers being killed, imprisoned and tortured because of their faith in Christ. Their names and the dates were there too and they ranged from centuries past into the future.  Joe fell to the ground and cried out, “My God forgive me! I have looked for all the wrong things and I’ve worshiped other gods. I want to worship and serve you only, no matter the cost.” Joe wept for what seemed like hours until the angel gently touched him on the shoulder and quietly spoke, “Joe, we must go on.”

The atmosphere was cold, damp and violent with an eerie feeling about it. As they stood on the side of a hill with people scattered around them, Joe was stunned to realize he could see emotions, each appearing in a different color. He saw anger, confusion, guilt, hatred and he saw love shining in most brilliant color of all overshadowing the others. Joe felt the sensation of it all chaotically intensifying! His eyes drifted and then focused in on a young man holding a woman who may have been his mother. Their faces showed anguish and sorrow with tears illuminating each emotion. They were looking up intently at something. “What are they looking at?” Joe wondered. Straining to see more clearly through the fog, he looked up and slowly an outline came in to view. It was a cross with a man nailed to it! Joe yelled at the top of his voice, “What have you done? Get me away from here! I can’t take this!” Stepping in front of Joe the angel said calmly, “You are right, Joe. You couldn’t bear this. That’s why you have been shielded from it. It isn’t what I have done, Joe, it is what you have done. Think about it, How would your life be different if you woke up every morning remembering God’s mercy over you? Jesus suffered and died this way because of your sin! He didn’t have to but he did. You should have been on that cross but the Father spared you of his wrath and laid it upon his only son, the perfect and sinless lamb of God. Joe, that is mercy. how would your life be different if you remembered each morning God’s grace over you? Jesus rose from the grave alive! God not only withheld his wrath from you, he went on to love you, forgive you and give you a new life and life everlasting. He has gone ahead to prepared a place for you to live with him forever! Joe, he even left you his spirit to guide and protect you on your way through life. What did all this cost you, Joe? Nothing! For you it was free. Jesus paid it all! Joe, that is grace.”

They were standing in what Joe assumed was an ancient garden of some type. He listened as the angel went on. ” Don’t you see, Joe, this is what the perfect church is all about! You are part of it and so are all of these who were serving God that you have seen tonight. The perfect church is the Body of Christ from earth to Heaven and from the beginning into all eternity. This is how the Father has designed it. He has no plan B. His work is to go out to all the world through us, The Church. It has little to do with a building or the name on that building or how you sing or pray. The perfect church is not about how good you can do church , Joe, it is about who God is, what he has done, what he is doing and what he will do. Pray to the Lord in all things. Live the Word of God! Make the best choices you can so you may honor him in all your ways. Praise God for the people he brings into your life and rely on him to get through the tough times. Joe, always remember that the Lord is in control. Worship him in truth and in spirit and seek to do the good things he has prepared in advance for you to do. The perfect church cannot be found in any certain place or time. It can only be found in those who have been redeemed by The Christ, The Risen Lord! In those who have been made perfect, not by their own works but who are perfect in the eyes of God because the Son of God lives in them and has forgiven their sin. Joe, in this body you will sin and make poor choices but in Christ you are made perfect and acceptable to God! Never forget that.”

With his hand on Joe’s shoulder the angel pointed to a dark hole in the side of a hill. With ecstatic joy and almost singing the angel shouted, “Look Joe, the tomb is empty!” For the first time the angel smiled and then began to laugh as he said, ” next stop, your place. When it is your time to come home we will meet again, but more importantly, you will meet the Lord face to face and you will serve him forever! Then you will see the perfect church in a new light. Never forget what has been written. Christ is the head of the body which is the church. The saved. Use the gifts he has given you to build up and encourage the body, serving others, spreading God’s grace and always seeking to reach the lost world. For the Lord is patient, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance and to a saving faith in Christ. Joe, now you see but a poor reflection, then you will will see clearly. Now you know in part, then you shall know fully! To God be the glory!”

Quickly Joe sat up in bed and looked over at his clock. It was 3:00 AM. Boris was snoring away. Hurrying to his desk, Joe wrote down everything he could remember from his dream. Then he read his Bible until dawn. After spending some time in prayer he picked up his phone and made a call. “Good morning”, a voice answered. Joe hesitated briefly and then he spoke, “Pastor, this is Joe. Thankyou for all you do. I was wondering, is there anything I can help you with this week?”

Well, Joe didn’t actually find what he was looking for, did he? But he did find what God knew he needed. We never know how God will speak to us but for certain his voice will always line up with his Word. The Word tells us to pray honestly our concerns, questions, struggles and even our doubts to God. We are to listen and watch for him everywhere. If you haven’t done that in awhile, I would encourage you to do so. What are you needing the Lord to show you today? Remember, the God knows what you need even before you speak a single word. If you are reading this, then I have prayed for you. By the way, sweet dreams!

Bob