Changing a Room By Merely Walking In

There are people in the world out there that can change the atmosphere of a room by merely walking in. I look up to these people and strive be one of them. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit and living a life in pursuit of Jesus, people can tell. The general population becomes aware of this, even if it is only in their subconscious. I have witnessed people change the way they act and interact around these Spirit-filled "room changers."

The first example of this my roommate John. Not only is he a "room changer" but he is a "court changer." Jon has spent his last four years playing college basketball. I have had the pleasure of watching him play for the last two years. John is a good player, but his leadership on the court goes uncontested. When he is playing the entire atmosphere of the game changes. Just him being on the court affects the attitude and the play of both his team and the opposition. Jon doesn't work hard and pop up some 3-pointers or even foul every once in a while, but Jon plays hard for the glory of God. Everyone on the court can feel this even if they can't put words to it and it affects the way they act and interact in a positive way. We gotta aim for this kind of "room changing."

The next two examples I want to give are of two of my best friends: Roman and Shaun. Roman and Shaun are both "room changers" and when either or both of them enter a room the Spirit of the Lord comes with them. When a person holds the Spirit other people can feel that on a spiritual level. Both Roman and Shaun have accessible wisdom, because the Holy Spirit gives them wisdom for others. I have seen random peers be drawn to both Roman and/or Shaun and start deep conversations that they were unaware they were going to be starting. The Holy Spirit works through Roman and Shaun to feed others.

I have the great privilege to be a worship leader and a musician. With the privilege comes a unique opportunity: I get to look at the congregation during a worship service. Sometimes odd things happen to people near Jon, Roman and Shaun. The three of them and the other "room changers" create little pockets around them and in those pockets people are more quickly drawn into worship and more engaged in the sermon. When I look out and see these little pockets of sincere worshippers it makes me well up with tears and Roman, Shaun and Jon right in the center. They are worship leaders in their own way.

This is something I believe every Christ-follower can be. I think in some capacity all of us already are. The more we pursue closeness with God, the more the Spirit tends to leak out of us and affect of other people.

-Chris