Wednesday, 24 June 2009

• Thoughts on Revival

  It's been whispered among the pews, trumpeted at Bible studies, wept over at the altars, and expounded upon from the pulpet. And yet I for one still don't know if it's possible.

  Revival.

  I'm not talking a special service where there are more amens than usual, or a week of good attendance. I don't mean a scheduled weekend with a different preacher. 

  We're talking about nothing more or less than the heavens opening up and the Spirit pouring out through our church and running through the streets of our city. We're talking about tongues of fire and healings and changed lives. A God encounter that would make history sit up and take notice.

  Because I've never seen that before, have you? I grew up in a family sewn hand and foot to the concerns of Ministry. I've seen Ministry on three continents. I've felt the Spirit move on a slightly smaller scale. I've heard stories of revival. But in my own experience? Nada.

  At our church now it feels like a deep rumble under the feet of our congregation, this dream of revival. A subversive sprite that whispers in the ears of our staff, our members. I myself ache for it - in my head, my teeth, my heart - it's like a surge of spiritual hormones, and I'm not the only one hitting puberty.

  Am I making sense? Do you feel the yearning in your gut for more of God? More community? More transperency? For a New Testament-style back yard barbecue complete with prophecy, charity, and crazed worship. Where the neighbors peek over the fence and we invite them all until it becomes a block party, then a rave.

  That's what we claim to want, right? So what's stopping us? Why have we not seen it yet? Why has God told us "not yet?"

  Maybe we don't want it enough. Maybe we haven't shed enough tears in pursuit of it yet. Perhaps I'm not obedient enough in my devotional life or too many of us fall asleep during the sermon on Sunday. Maybe what God's looking for is unity in our drive. For surely, if each and every one of us were praying faithfully for an outpouring of the Spirit - if we each invited Him earnestly into our lives - if we were really living out the mandates of the faith - would God really be able to stay away? I don't think so. I think we would see fire, and see it quickly.

  And really, that's what I want - just to see it. To catch a glimpse of God's back as He's departing Mt. Sinai. If God chooses not to bring revival to this city, this church, who am I to argue? But I am determined to chase Him down when He does show up, wherever that may be. Mark my words, if news of a revival reaches me, I'll be the first to sign up for a road trip to go see it, like some crazed God groupie.

  But I still hold out hope that God wants to work here, with us. Oh Father, give us more of You - and when we are full to bursting with Your Spirit, give us still more.

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