I’ve lived in some great places. Each town or city we’ve called home has shaped our family, our story and our ministry in unique ways. Every place offers its own kind of beauty, opportunity, or culture.
Of course, no place is perfect. As great as these cities are, each has its needs. Some have more needs than others.
In 2 Kings 2, the people of Jericho tell Elisha, “The location of this city is good.” They probably didn't know how right they were. Jericho is one of the oldest cities in the world today. But not everything's good. There's a great need in the city. The people say, “The water is bad, and the land is unfruitful.” There's an idea that the unfruitfulness of the land is akin to loosing a child or being barren. That represents a great loss.
Having bad water is no small issue. Think of the people in Flint, MI. They've been fighting for ten years for water justice. Contaminated water means poor health, failed crops, struggling livestock and hunger. It touches every part of life: physical, economic and emotional.
When the residents of Jericho bring this concern to Elisha, the prophet responds. He acts. He trusts. He puts salt in a bowl, throws it in the spring and declares, “This is what the Lord says: I have healed this water.” To be sure, the healing didn’t come from a bowl, the salt or even the prophet. It came from God. But it still required Elisha’s faithful obedience. 
That’s the kind of faith we’re called to live. Not just belief, but action. The kind of faith that listens, moves, trusts and brings healing.
Imagine your church and your faith having that kind of impact on your city. Then let God work through your faith to bring healing to the city you call home.
Stay blessed...john | 
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