Wrestling With The Definition of Revival
This is how Webster defines revival:
1: an act or instance of reviving : the state of being revived: as a: renewed attention to or interest in something b: a new presentation or publication of something old c (1): a period of renewed religious interest (2): an often highly emotional evangelistic meeting or series of meetings
2: restoration of force, validity, or effect (as to a contract)This how the church (in my opinion) defines revival:
To pray hard for souls and then watch them flood into the church by droves from out of nowhere.DISCLAIMER: This is not how all churches define it, this is just what I have seen over the years
What does all of this have to do with relationships? I am glad that you have stuck around long enough to ask. I believe the way we view "revival" negates building relationships with people. I believe we have used it as an excuse to not be involved with the people that do not have a relationship with Jesus. I believe that we are praying for and crying to God for something that He has called us to do. We sit and pray when He has called us to GO and love. I am not discounting the power of prayer. Prayer is one of the most important elements in the life of a Christ Follower. I think that our prayer needs to shift. Instead of praying that God send "revival" and expecting people just to start flooding into our churches, we need to pray for a burden for those that are far from God. We need to be praying that we see people the way God sees them and love them with the love of God.
Before all you haters start emailing me and correcting me, understand what I am truly saying. I am not "anti" the Holy Spirit moving in a mighty way in our services. He has control of my life, my ministry, and every service that I am in. It is one of the mandates on my own life to stay sensitive to His leading. I am not condemning great moves of the Holy Spirit that are in the past or that we have witnessed in our lifetime. I am saying that praying for "revival" and for people to come into a loving relationship with God is not an excuse to stay shut up inside of your church buildings. As Perry Noble would say, "Quit asking God to do the things that He has commanded us to do." Quit allowing revival to be your excuse for laziness.
Go, love, serve, tell. Be the hands and feet of God. Be the Church!
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
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