Too often in our lives we are confronted with the idea that we don’t count. That what we do does not matter.

The last week I watched yet one more crazy incident affect the lives of neighbors, school children and a community. The issue is not the incident itself but the feeling of hopelessness that has gripped the community. As I read the blogs, the articles, the comments, it is clear that the “insecurity” that has prevailed is increasing rather than decreasing. “Doesn’t God love everyone Lee?” Absolutely! I believe that beyond a shadow of a doubt.

A year ago I had a vision. I share that link here for your review. So much of what I saw has happened in a number of places, a number of lives. I struggle with the seeing of what I saw. Honestly, I thought there was a “but, what if God” moment on the table. Even as I have entered a new season myself, it is incumbent on me not to let fear or discouragement occur in my own life and the seeing of what I have watched take away joy.

No prophetic voice ought to “pride” in what they see to justify their gifting. For me it is a burden more than not, to see, to pray the opposite and still see the visions come to pass in a manner like the one above. Honestly I thought we had moved to the “bright” side on this one, in this area. I am still walking in faith on it that a change will occur. But I am also looking for the answer.

It causes me to say where is the church? Where is the unity? Where is the love? I am not mad or even disheartened. Just thinking through. My heart is for people.

Many years ago I was taken in to Harlem on a “missed” ride. A connection had been in error for a number of us who were in sales. A vendor was putting on a large “soiree” and the ride had not appeared. As a number of us sought alternatives, we decided on chartering a bus from the Javits Center in NYC. We negotiated and got our bus. As we climbed on people from all about the United States were on board. A native New Yorker began to direct the bus driver out of the city. (He also operated as our tour guide!) And then he announced we were in Harlem. I had already felt the “hopelessness” that was in the air. But as he announced the area on the bus’ microphone quiet captured the bus riders And then fear came forth and even some anger.

I was reminded of that this morning as I read more blogs and saw more comments. To the church I say this, When people forget that the quality of a situation may well just be in their hands through God given authority, the masses suffer. Change your words + change your actions=change in your family, community and country. More often than not our thoughts about our self are founded in a past left behind and not a present with the King. God is with us.

Many are in fear. Many are in discouragement. (And another question that is there is what if He wants to move you? Too often people are victims of their fear and allow the missing of a change, of an opportunity.) The church as it stands must bring hope, love and joy. There is much to be fearful about if we did not know the Lord and His promise.

Will God allow a community, a city or even a nation to be shut down? As long as hope prevails, I think not. The light of the gospel is greater than the darkness. It is His grace that empowers change. I recently watched the “devastation” of a neighborhood. It was a series of pictures reflecting the change in a major city’s community. It was hard to watch. But then I thought, it only takes one. It only took a David to overcome a Goliath. A Gideon, a Moses.

I do believe there are places that are in decline. One can not help but see it. I do not believe the Lord “did it” but I do think He is waiting on His people. Truly He is long suffering, patient and kind. Who will be the light? Who will stand up? Perhaps not as you have always. Could David wear the armor of Saul? Perhaps “church” in some areas as we have developed it is no more flexible or lighter than the weightiness of Saul’s armor.

In that vision of a year ago, I saw an arising. There is a sound on the horizon. There is the smell of rain. And there is hope.