Revival

What is revival? Maybe when you were growing up it was a series of meetings where everyone came to church every night for a week for some good preaching. It had to be good or by the third night no one would show up. Sometimes, a tent would be set up and there would be meetings in the tent just like in church, just out side.

 I remember revivals when I was growing up— we had one most every summer. For us kids, it was fun because if the evangelist had kids they got to stay at our house. So, we had revival and company too.

The services were lively, at times and we did have some good preaching. We usually had someone sing a “special” song during revival. There were also people around the alters “seeking the LORD”. Some nights it would be late before we got home. Those are cherished memories!

But what IS revival? The dictionary says it is restoration to life or restoration to use. I think that is such a wonderful description and what revival should be. Not that it wasn’t that when I was growing up but my perspective was different then.

Elements of revival should be people being saved and people being filled with the Spirit. But from my view, a revival is a time to breathe life back into the weary ones working for the Kingdom so they are restored to use. It’s a time to reflect personally to determine if we are moving forward, standing still or going backwards. It’s a time to look ahead with new vision and sharper focus. It’s a time for Holy Spirit to breathe upon us with His breath infused with life! It’s time for a fiery passion for the LORD to be restored. 

What do we do with revival when the services end and we settle once again into our routines? That’s when the best part comes. We have been restored to life but now it’s time to put to use the life we have been restored to. It is time to get to work allowing Holy Spirit to work through us to breathe life into the weary ones around us, those without hope, those that are tired, those looking for an answer in the midst of suffering or grief and especially those searching for JESUS, unaware of who they are looking for.

When revival in the church house is over it is then time for us to be revival as we share with others what we have been so freely given. 

Church are you ready? Let’s get going!