I’m a dreamer.

I dream of a world in peace. I dream of a world where people cooperate with each other voluntarily instead of relying on men with guns and bullhorns to order them around. I dream of a world where politicians can no longer scam the masses into agreeing to send their sons and daughters across the globe to kill other people’s sons and daughters in the name of some ill-defined “national interest.” I dream of a world where we beat swords into plowshares, lions frolic with lambs and nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.

Some would say I’m an idealist and I need to get my head in the “real world.”

Some would say I have unreasonable expectations.

Some would say I’m a fool.

Perhaps I am.

But I would argue that my dreams are grounded in reality (if you claim the name Christian) – a promise made by the king of the universe.

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder. For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.” Isaiah 9:2-7

A little over 2,000 years ago, the birth of a baby in Bethlehem ushered in a new kingdom. And its defining characteristic is peace. We call our king “the Prince of Peace.”

If you follow Jesus, you should share my dream.

The prophet Joel looked forward to the coming of the Prince of Peace. Peter quoted him at Pentecost.

“In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.”

There you have it – old men will dream dreams.

The truth is, I’m getting close to the “old” category. But in truth, I’ve always been a dreamer, an idealist. It’s just in the last few years that I’ve started dreaming of a world of peace.

My hope is that other believers in Jesus will begin to dream this dream as well. Because the kingdom of God is now. God didn’t call us to sit in church pews and yearn for some future utopia. He didn’t call us to sit around and wait for “heaven.” He called us to serve as His hands and feet – to project the love of our savior into the world. To serve our neighbors and love our enemies. To usher in the Kingdom of Peace that he established.

God put the dream in my heart. And he extends the dream to you as well. Will you dream with me?

“This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem: In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.” Isaiah 2:1-4