Yesterday as I went for a walk with my grandchildren, I realized I had “missed” something over the summer. Probably it was simply the summer! But as I walked down a path with them and looked at the river, the foliage and even the path, I saw two things. The power of God and His people.

I asked myself what changes a region or a community for the better. Clearly there were the two pieces I envisioned. One was people. The other was God. As I walked I saw the changes. Some good. Some not so good. How do we make it better? I personally believe that His people change a community for the better. Not just the “good” people but the people who release God into a community.

Let me begin with the people. People are the community, therefore they are truly important to the change in the community.

We have been empowered by God to take “dominion” in this world. That means our influence should change things and we should focus on the good that be done through us. As I walked yesterday, I saw what can be released by people less caring, less influenced by God and His love. The trash that might be on the side of a path. (There was not a lot but there was some.) A person who does not care, pay attention or plan on staying can litter in the natural. But they can litter in the spiritual as well. They can leave their spiritual footprint of negativity, hatred and more by their actions. Like actual litter, we as believers can do 2 things. We can pick it up to maintain the beauty or we can teach them not to litter. And so it is in the kingdom. We can clean up the messes but Jesus also asked us to make disciples of them. To cause a force of direction towards Him.

We “walk” or travel a lot of places. Our influence is wherever we go, by the power of God invested in us. And some questions can be asked like these. Do we pick up the “trash”? Do we make disciples? Do we sow seeds to beautify? (Natural and spiritual.) Do we prune? Do we govern? And finally are we consumers or influencers? (This is a big question!)

The second part is God’s response to His people. Over my years of study of revival, I have witnessed some powerful moves of the Father in the earth. So, what happens to a community when God moves? I would say to you less about the “when” He moves and more about the move itself. I have personally witnessed powerful moves, but one question always lingered in my mind. How did it impact a community? Did it change it? Were the outsiders favorably touched? Or was it internal and focused on a church or a tent? (I have done enough tent meetings to see.)

Does your walk talk? If you are changing things it will be recognized by the community. How do I know? Let us simply incorporate these two scriptures. Acts 2:41 reveals “Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day–about 3,000 in all.” Baptized? Do our fresh converts run to water? (As did the Ethiopian? Acts 8:26-40)Acts 4:4 indicates a large group of folks being changed. With daily addition in their community. (Historical value given here. It was not on the internet or in a meeting somewhere else, but it was here where this portion was recorded by Luke.)

God can and will show up in response to His people. Not just to their cry, but to their actions. How powerful are those actions? Do we recognize the need for those actions? Acts 4:29-31 says “ ‘And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence, while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy servant Jesus.’ And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness.” We will speak while “you respond”!

Folks, it is time. Put the word on your wall. Community Changer! (Okay-you can put “world changer” but it will require a community change first…)Get a feel for it. Begin to say it. Begin to own it. Begin to wear it. Become it!

(I recognize the value of church community but it is to push out the walls and change the community at large, lest any be lost!)

Written by Lee Johndrow

Lee is the Senior Leader of Abundant Grace Fellowship Church in Keene, NH

He is the father of five wonderful children. Married for over 26 years to his wife Tina. Loving life with family, friends, faith, fun and food!