I want revival like every brother and sister in Christ. And more than my own heart’s desire, I believe this is the very heart of Jesus Christ.
We live in a very upside down time. Deception dictates the day. There is grave confusion like none before. We are conditioned and reactive by the way we feel. Emotions easily lead us here, and there and everywhere. We forsake the Word of God and replace it with feelings, quotes, and experience.
What does revival mean? One of the definitions is this: “an instance of something becoming popular, active, or important again.” Is it a moment? Is it a movement? Is it a phenomenon? I think revival begins deep in the heart and proves real over time.
Revival can’t be measured by ongoing praying, singing, shouting, and worshiping God. Don’t get me wrong, these are good things. These are excellent things. But this is not what we look for in revival. Revival is a new life that flows out of a changed heart, and evidence of that can only be seen over time.
As hearts are stirred we can easily feel emotions leading us to a personal revival of the soul. It is exciting when God moves. But if the revival is confined to a place, a time, a public movement then something may be missing.
Revival is the complete turning away from something and running towards something else. Revival is surrender. Revival is a turning from our own ideas, thought and ways of living and moving towards Christ. Is that what is happening at Asbury? I sure hope so. I pray these young people are coming to a deep understanding and recognition that they need a Savior. I pray that these young men and women have been moved by the Holy Spirit in a way that transforms everything about them. I pray that what they are experiencing is not an experience at all but rather a deep awakening in their soul to purge themselves and consume more of Christ.
Revival has the potential to change the future. True revival is powerful, but not in a contagious sort of way. It’s easy to jump on board in those emotionally charged moments. I did that for many years. Emotions are tricky and even messy, maybe even a little deceptive at times. Emotions can blur the lines of a real transforming revival and an experience.
True Christian revival should be measured by longevity.
What is happening in Kentucky is exciting and encouraging. Young people are searching, seeking, and embracing Him in ways they never understood. They could be anywhere and are choosing to sit before the Lord. We should give thanks. We should celebrate. But we should also be praying that this doesn’t just result in a onetime emotional movement but rather a life change that impacts the world. Then, we can confidently say, a revival occurred on the campus of a little college in a very small town in Kentucky.