This is such a loaded word. Revival.
I’ve always dreamed with God. I’ve dreamed of masses of people coming to the foot of the cross, being saved and healed. But being in ministry for much of my life, I feel like that dream still hasn’t come. I’ve had glimpses of it, but I’m just waiting on the Lord for those moments. So, what does revival really look like, then? Does it look like a concert, or one highlight reel of people encountering God. It does look like that, but it’s so much deeper….
Revival is fully about reviving our love and devotion to our Maker, Yahweh. I want to talk about what revival looks like. I think it’s important to discuss because when we go after Revival it’s important to look at the heart first. Revival can look wild! It can be radical salvation, healings, restorations, long term hurts completely restored, relationships healed, cancer and bodily hurts healed, miracles and gold dust coming down from the heavens…. God doesn’t need the flashy lights or the big miracles to show His power. He needs a willing heart to be submitted to Him. God asks for us to be “Living Sacrifices”, Holy and set apart for Him, transforming our minds and hearts to things of Heaven. (Romans 12:1-2)
This movement starts with one heart, completely devoted to loving God. It starts with that heart listening to His voice. That heart will spark so many others to do the same.
When I first started running after “revival” I wanted everything to be about big moments. I think I wanted that because that’s what I saw everywhere. It’s hard not to see the victorious testimonies of church friends and famous Christian pastors or worship leaders without seeing amazing testimonies of God working. I kept calling out to God, “Lord, let me see you move! I want to see your presence impact the world!” It was a big cry for passionate worship. The more I went after the big flashy moments, the more disappointed I was. I believe this was because I was looking for the testimony and I wasn’t looking for the God of my heart.
I couldn’t understand why He wasn’t doing what I thought revival was. So I asked Him, “Why am I not seeing the revival you promised?” The more I spent time in the Word and in His Presence, the more I realized that God is more about your intimate relationship with Him than any big moment that we can create with Him. His presence and revival starts with one devoted heart.
He cares more about how someone’s heart surrenders to His calls.
Activation
God wants us to have a place to spend time with Him. He is deserving to be our dwelling place. As you go on in your week, here are some bible verses to grow with Him.
Psalm 27:5 | For in the time of trouble, He shall hide in me in His pavilion. In the secret place of His tabernacle, He shall hide in me; He shall set me high upon a rock. Matt 6:6 | But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your father, who is unseen. Then your father, who sees what you have done in secret, will reward you James 4:8 | Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Clense your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. John 14:21 | Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves me. And who loves me will be loved by my father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him. John 15:4-5 | Abide in me, and I in you. As the brand cannot bear fruit on it's won, unless it abides in the vine, either can you, unless you abide in me.
