illustration by mark herron

When anyone is involved in an aspect of mediaTV, videos, movies, the Internet and all other forms of communication seeking to influence the minds, hearts and lives of people, there has to come a heart-cry: How can things be changed? How can Gods people affect this incredible channel to the world? Whats being done? Can ordinary Christians, who want to be on mission with God, make a difference at all? They may also want to know if they can join with others in this pursuit.

For the Christian there are several factors to remember:

• Only God can change Hollywood and the total media culture.

• He really can do it. Faith in Him is crucial in this pursuit.

• His ways arent our ways. Therefore we must not look to human reasoning for answers or solutions. To seek human solutions will result in getting human answers which so far have not been the least bit effective. To seek earnestly Gods ways will be to ensure Gods solutions and victories.

• We must remember that what weve already been doing has brought us to this hour.

• Its my conviction that we need a new qualitatively different relationship with God, personally and collectively.

All through the Bible, God assures His people that He is present and that He is actively involved in their lives. He urges them to bring their impossible situations to Him. When He sets His thoughts toward us 1) He Himself will bring it to pass (Isaiah 14:24), and 2) what He purposes no one or nothing can prevent Him from doing (Isaiah 14:26). So He urges His people to trust Him, call on Him and let Him make Himself known through them. In other words, we need to let Him work through us before a watching world. Jesus expressed His invitation to His disciples in a similar way saying, . . . have faith in God . . . whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them and you will have them . . . (Mark 11:22-24).

Christians do have such a relationship with God. He alone can bring about the needed changes in our world, including the media, in all its influences and expressions.

We must:

• Know God and His ways, and believe Him.

• Come before Him, not merely to listen but to hear Him.

• Obey Him, letting Him do what only He can do.

• Ask, or pray, personally and togetherbringing each situation before God for His will to be done in a way that brings Him greatest glory. In this experience, when we release each situation to God, then we are available to Him as laborers together with Him (2 Corinthians 6:1-2) to be fully involved with Him as He will direct. We realize, with the Apostle Paul, that . . . I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me . . .(1 Corinthians 15:10).

I am presently aware of significant moves of God toward reshaping media. God is far more involved than we may realize. We dont have to call Him in. He is already at work. We need to see where God already has strategically placed His children in the media and placed us as encouragement and strength alongside them. Often the persons present, who are active and deeply motivated to see godly changes in the media, need others with a thorough knowledge of the Bible and the ways and will of God to walk with them, in counsel, prayer and encouragement. We must pray to this end, then get up from praying to see where and how God will place any of us in the midst of His activity in solving all of thismaybe even going to Hollywood.

I also see a caution, expressed so helpfully by Paul in Colossians 3:1-3, . . . if then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. This intimate relationship with God is the key ingredient in revival. History bears witness that the deep and lasting changes that our hearts seek from God come from revivala transparent relationship with God in holiness where He is then able to do in us, and through us, what only He can dotransform the media culture in our world. I believe He will do this through His people who believe in Him and are fully yielded to Him.

The author of Experiencing God, Henry Blackaby is president of Henry Blackaby Ministries. Visit www.henryblackaby.com for more information. Bible references are from The New King James Version.