Revival Is Coming! I can’t wait!
Spiritual Renewal is something that every believer should want. The Lord’s mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:23), who wouldn’t want a new mercy every morning? Who wouldn’t want to be renewed in his/her spirit each day? This isn’t a conservative or liberal thing. Who doesn’t want to be revived?
Those who might say “revivals” or periods of spiritual renewal in a church are not effective these days. They aren’t like the “good old days” when folks didn’t have anything better to do, had three TV channels from which to choose; and came out to anything the church offered. It’s true there are more things to do and more things that (we feel) must be done. Look at social media. Walked through a high school. Noticed the direction of our country. Think of the defeat/discouragement within families. Hear the angst and the lonely cries of people all around. We need revival. More than ever, we need spiritual renewal.
Who doesn’t need: More encouragement? More strength? More wisdom? More spirit infused courage? We all need more of Jesus these days not less. Those who say, “I don’t need spiritual renewal” or “I’m too busy for revival” or offer some other excuse—are more than likely the ones most in need of spiritual renewal. We all need it (pastors included).
Everyone can grow stale. No one is immune. Spiritual renewal is the antidote.
To combat the prevailing forces and pressures in our ever-compromising culture, we must slow down, focus on Jesus and plead to grow deeper in our walk. It might involve openness, honesty, confession, vulnerability and stepping out of one’s comfort zone. It might cost us something. Growth usually does.
Clearing calendars is inconvenient. Of course, there are commitments that have to be kept (revival week or not). There are some things a person can’t get out of doing—but there are plenty of things that we can get off our plate for a four-day immersion in soul renewing. It might involve asking to re-arrange a work schedule; cancelling a regular appointment; or asking to be excused from a class. If we claim that our soul care is the most important thing in our lives (and it should be), then, for this four-day period, we need to act like it.
Once a year (generally the first week or two of October), Central Church sets aside four days, Sunday through Wednesday to intentionally focus on our soul reviving. This year, October 8-11, Dr. Tim Green, dean of the Millard Reed School of Theology & Christian Ministry at Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, Tennessee will be our speaker. We make every effort to eliminate excuses. A free dinner is served Monday through Wednesday. Our Discovery Area (nurseries and pre-school) are fully staffed. Our children’s ministry (grade 1-5) also have special speakers and workers. We prioritize this week in our budget and in our efforts.
We put forth the energy because we believe God wants to revive our souls, improve our outlook; strengthen our families; refocus our attention and ready us for whatever the future might bring. We’ve got a couple of weeks to shuffle our duties and clear our responsibilities to enable full participation. Spiritual renewal is worth it. Revival is coming! I can’t wait!
