I love reading about revivals and awakenings. I notice that some last only 2-3 years, some a little longer. They are characterized by much enthusiasm and charismatic fervor. Historical accounts of shaking, weeping, falling, laughing, shouting, groaning, and other unusual physical manifestations people experience are found in every recorded revival and awakening (e.g. First and Second Great Awakenings, Cane Ridge Revival, Welsh Revival, Azusa Street Revival, Latter Day Rain Movement, Jesus Movement, Toronto Blessing). Every revival has shown a degree of “messiness” in terms of people expressing physical manifestations when touched by God. Stewarding a revival has its challenges and requires leaders to humbly seek God for guidance and to walk in love for one another.
Revival is not earned; it is a gift from heaven. It always starts within in the Body of Christ and then moves outward. Revivals typically occur where hungry people humble themselves and seek the indwelling presence of God. They seek revival, not as a reward, but as a welcome to His sovereign move on behalf of a dying world. What do hungry people look like?
- They seek personal repentance (change of direction) to live in humility and holiness.
- They move from complacency to compassion—to see needs and do something about it.
- They move from compromise to commitment, from surface or occasional participation to passion for Christ and the Kingdom of God.
- They move from criticism to loving confrontation. Criticism seeks punishment or retribution, but godly confrontation of sin (not attacking the person) seeks redemption—to provide blessing and transformation.
- They pray and seek the face of God for His will, plans, and purposes.
- They worship with complete abandon.
Does your heart cry out for revival—for the transformation of people and communities? Are you willing to prepare your own heart, mind, and gifts to serve in the coming revival? Are you willing to burn brightly as the light of the world? Are you willing to be the salt of the earth–a messenger of cleansing, preservation, and flavor to those who are held captive by sickness, discouragement, or oppression? We cannot earn God’s favor for revival. It is a sovereign move of God. But we can position ourselves with humility to stand in faith believing for His visitation with conviction that when it arrives, we will jump into the river.
Copyright 2015 by Eva Benevento. All rights reserved.