Hirelings have a habit of interpreting spiritual things physically and literally. Take for example the prophecy of Amos wherein God said “I will rebuild the fallen tabernacle of David … declares the Lord” (Amos 9:11 and Acts 15:16). In Kansas City, the International House of Prayer also known as IHOP is claimed to be a model for rebuilding the tabernacle of David. There musicians, singers, dancers and other artistic people have “worshiped” God 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, since September 19th, 1999. IHOP Kansas City in and of itself is prima facie evidence that the founders have made a literal and physical interpretation of the prophecy in Amos 9:11 and Acts 15:16.

But does their interpretation reflect a spiritual and Biblical understanding of the prophecy?

Since I first received Jesus, my outlook has changed from one of striving to do works and looking for God’s approval after the fact to one of resting in Christ and trusting the Holy Spirit to direct me in concert with God’s work. It is not unlike Peter who fished all day and caught nothing, who at the end of the day followed Jesus’ instructions and hauled in a huge catch. The former was Peter’s effort without Christ’s direction, the latter was Christ’s doing through Peter’s obedience. The lesson in that? Action without direction is fruitless.

One way I see things differently now, is through the gardening metaphor so often used in scripture. Working in my vegetable garden those scriptures come to life as I clean up a garbage pile behind the garage, kill the weeds, till the soil, fertilize, plant, water, prune, cultivate, deal with pests and finally bring in the harvest. It’s hard work, but a great way to get perspective on God’s work with us.

For nearly 18 months I applied myself to various church jobs, hoping to spark something, anything, that resembled revival. But the harder I worked, the worse it became. Finally the Lord said to me:

Get out of the way and let it fail.

His words left me stunned. In fact, I questioned whether or not it was the Lord speaking since I felt it was blasphemous to suggest the church should fail. But the Lord went on to show me the church was not a building, nor the religious institution with all its programs most people identify as the church, but simply the children of God coming together as family to live in community with God and one another. The Lord went on to speak to me about building on sand and that He is doing what He has always done: sending wind, rain and waves to test our houses for whether or not we’ve built on the Rock.

Past episodes have looked at the ways jealousy and ambition can grieve and quench the ministry of the Spirit. Likewise man’s church system which sustains itself through systemically suppressing the witness of the Spirit. I’d like to share a vision from the Lord that showed me what’s behind it all, and a dream that contrasts a ministry of compassion and healing with the ministry of selfish men. Both have helped to show me the nature of man’s church system and what the Lord wants ministry to be.

It was while meditating on the saying “the ground is level at the foot of the cross” that the Lord prompted me to consider His perspective through a vision.

I was making my way on foot down the side of a mountain with another man who seemed to be a mixture of my earthly and spiritual fathers. The mountain we were descending was desert like, covered with rock, cactus and stumps. Not a single tree remained on the mountain, while the valley below was lush and inviting with green forest and clear streams. Though I couldn’t see from the rocky trail, I knew the valley to be filled with people, shelter, food, fellowship, etc. Conversely, I knew the mountain to be “snake country”. If I’ve never mentioned, I hate snakes!