Influencing Change is Inevitable
“Creation is what God made and culture is what humans make. Culture making, in and of itself, is not necessarily sinful, but it is inevitable.”
“Ever thought about your role in shaping the world around you? We pray all the time, ‘Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven’ – but have you really thought about how His will will be done here on earth as it is in Heaven?”
Most of us think of prayer as leading people to salvation through the sinner’s prayer by being a prayer partner at church or talking to your family and friends about Jesus.
Think about this: We are commissioned as believers to go into the world and make disciples – yet we work 30 - 40 hours a week, have kid sports, church events, work events and don’t forget girls’ night out. So then, with all our time taken up during the week, how are we to go into the world and make disciples AND bring heaven to earth?
Cultivating Culture: Embracing Our Role as Influencers of Change
The simple answer is by taking care of the culture around us by being the influence or influencers of culture change.
You see, we were created to worship God not only with our words but with our work. The first few chapters of Genesis make plain that we were created for the purpose of cultivating the rest of creation for the glory of God (Genesis 1:26-28). After Adam’s Fall in Genesis 3, this work would be frustrating, spoiled, and even painful. But the call to cultivate endured.
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary; cultural change is the modification of a society through innovation, invention, discovery, or contact with other societies.
Therefore, I believe that we are called to be culture makers; those who build and cultivate a culture that honors God within our spheres of influence. You have permission to be that change!
Unleashing Creativity as Culture Makers
We have been made in the image of God; therefore, we are innately creative. God created something from nothing, and we are called to continue to create out of the abundant ingredients that God has given to us by way of His creation.
We are called to create and cultivate cultures that reflect the beauty and greatness of God here on earth while we are still here. You have permission to bring beauty to the world!
Andy Crouch says it well, “We will have the greatest cultural effect where we already have cultural influence.” Bloom where you are planted, watch the fruit of the Lord grow and impact the culture for His glory!
Three principles the Bible teaches on how to influence change
Speaking Truth with Love
Ephesians 4:15 urges us to speak the truth in love, addressing social issues with honesty and compassion.
Being Salt and Light
In Matthew 5:13-16, Jesus calls us the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world” emphasizing our role as influencers who bring flavor and illumination to society.
Love and Compassion in Action
Throughout Scripture, love and compassion are central themes, guiding our interactions and cultural engagement.
So, my challenge to you today is not just go and be who God created you to be but go and be culture changers and influence change!
Introducing Created Woman’s New Mission & Vision statement: Cultivate leaders, influence change, and pursue God-sized Dreams!