Revival. Chapter One.

The following essay is a collection of thoughts I have been having for some time that I recently penned down. I will post the rest of the writings over 3 installments. Please check them out.



REVIVAL
An Attempt at Understanding


Before a Revival can take place in the heart of any people, it must first take place in the hearts of its people.

• Revive-  to bring back to life consciousness, or activity: to make or become fresh or strong again: to bring back into use.

Revival may be one of the most popular themes and phrases in Christian dialect. It seems to be a carrot on a stick that Christianity as a whole seems to be only one prayer meeting or sermon away from finding. This is an attempt to examine revival for the purpose of meager understanding. The purpose in writing this is not for sensationalism. But rather it is the thoughts that have clouded my head for months now. It is the thoughts that have been birthed in the deepest parts of who I am. It is what I want. For me and for us. And even for them (whoever them may be).

Like most things in Christianity, Revival is not the end goal, but rather part of a process.
Therefore a few things must precede revival. First, some sort of standard that at one point had been achieved. Some standard that at one time had been met. Second, there must be an object that is in need of reviving. Third, there must be a state of dormancy. A state of inactivity. There must be a state of weakness or uselessness. Then, and perhaps most importantly, there must be an initial point of awakening. An awakening to the realization of both the present state but also the potential for something more. This is the point of Revival. Finally, there must be a point of activity or purpose. This is simply the carrying out of what revival has already begun.

The Five Elements of Revival
1. The Standard
2. The Object
3. State of Dormancy
4. Awakening
5. Activity

THE STANDARD
The Standard, although it seems simple, often gets polluted. The standard is not David. Nor is the standard Paul or Peter. In fact, they are merely towns we pass on the way to our destination. If we are driving to Dallas, reaching Childress is certainly a goal. We rest here. We eat at McDonalds. But we cannot stay.
Nor is the standard Acts 2. That was a moment in history. Acts 2 was a reaction, caused by another action that created the most miraculous acts in history. But still, it is not the goal.
The Standard, the goal, the destination is JESUS. Not just to reach Him, but to behold Him and, in a moment, become like Him. Whether in this life or the next, we must never waiver on this goal. We can find rest all along the journey, but we must not cease to move towards Him. Revival looks like Jesus. Lots of Jesus’ running around. First, preaching the kingdom. Calling for repentance. Pointing to the Father. Lots of Jesus’ filled with an unending supply of self-less love. Lots of Jesus’ with no other agenda than being led by the Spirit towards God and also towards people. Lots of Jesus’ filled with power. Filled with prophecy. Filled with a Spirit the world has rarely seen. Yes miracles. Yes healing. Yes salvation. But most importantly, YES JESUS!

(check back in the next couple of days for Chapter Two)