We need revival over here!! Those are words forever etched into my mind. I believe I have previously written about the “revival” plant that we had in our farmhouse when I was in high school. It was some sort of fern that was really bushy when it was healthy and doing well. But when the soil was dried out, the branches of the plant just hung limply over the side of the bowl it was planted in. When mom or I saw it in that state, we’d holler out, “We need revival over here!” and then the other would come running with some water. We’d give the plant a drink, and within minutes it would be bushy once again. Thus, that phrase, “We need revival over here!” has a humorous place in my memory banks.
However, there is a real sense of profound truth in those words too. We do need revival over here!! As things are going in this world, and even in the greater universal Church…we do need revival. Revival is defined in the Merriam Webster Dictionary as “a period of renewed religious interest.” Keep in mind the true meaning of religion isn’t just about rituals and institutions, it’s about reconnecting with God or the spiritual part of life. Remember the Latin breakdown of the word – Re=again and ligion=connecting. If you look at Jesus’ time here on earth, I’d say that in many ways Jesus was teaching, preaching, living, and acting to bring about revival. Jesus was all about getting people to refocus or reconnect with the things of God.
I mention this because there is a revival taking place on the campus of Asbury College and Seminary. For about 10 days now there has been a continuous, as in 24 hours a day, time of worship, singing, prayer, repentance, preaching, praising, and witnessing to the power of God touching lives taking place on the campus. You would think the Christian faith community in general would be celebrating what is taking place in Wilmore, Kentucky. There are many who are celebrating. But the truth is there are also many who are critical and being negative about what is taking place.
I have read articles by both those celebrating God at work in what is happening, and I’ve also read articles by those who are skeptical and even negative towards what is happening. I thought it was interesting that one of the nay-sayers arguments against this being a “true” revival is the fact that it isn’t taking place in an actual church…but an auditorium on a college and seminary campus. Others have said its too early to say if it’s really a revival. Considering the way there’s been such divisiveness in our nation over almost everything in recent years, you can imagine the arguments being used for and against this specific occurrence.
For myself, I’m just celebrating the fact that God’s spirit is at work. To me it’s a reminder there is much that we can’t control and even fully understand in this world. I’m also reminded of God’s words spoken through Isaiah, painting a picture to the Hebrew people of future hopefulness. People are being invited to turn to God. In Isaiah 55 the people are being told that God is doing something new…something unexpected. In the midst of this word of hope the people are reminded, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9.
I personally feel that revival takes place where hearts are open and receptive or where the way has been prepared. But how revival happens, that’s God’s doing. That’s the Spirit’s touch. And just because revival is happening in one place but isn’t here…that doesn’t invalidate what God is doing there. Let’s rejoice that God’s Spirit is flowing and being felt in a powerful way.
One writer expressed so well an important point. He said not to look to the extremes of a movement like this. Someone will always take things to the extremes. But instead look to the middle of what is being experienced and what is occurring. God is calling people to turn back to God and to refocus on the things of God. I’m guessing that is really something most of us could use a touch of in our lives and in our own following of Jesus.
May we pray that revival continues in this world…and even comes to us. Yes, I believe God is at work! I also believe the best days of the church are yet to come. May we proclaim, along with the rest of the world, “We need revival over here!” Amen…and Amen!!
Learning Lovingkindness
Pastor Keith