In the last few months we have been made increasingly aware of God’s purposes being fulfilled in ways that only Jesus can receive the credit.
“How blessed is God! And what a blessing He is.” [1]
What an extravagant gift to experience His outpouring of salvation grace into our lives and to embrace His work of being transformed into His likeness and image. We cannot help but stand amazed at God’s incomprehensible grace. The fresh realisation that He loves us and meets with us just as we are and yet in our partnership we are helped to move on into a fuller measure of knowing Him even better.
OUT WALKING
While out walking this morning I began to think about the word, ‘revive’ and enjoyed thinking about two key events that have been both a challenge and an encouragement to us. Webster’s Dictionary describes ‘revival’ as a ‘Return, recall or recovery to life from death or apparent death, as the revival of a drowned person.’
‘Return or recall to activity from a state of languor, as the revival of spirits.’
‘Recall, return or recovery from a state of neglect, oblivion, obscurity or depression; as the revival of letters or learning.’
REVIVE US LORD
However we imagine revival, it has its source in God alone and His eternal actions are set in motion to empower the Church to reflect His new creation reality. Ordinary people who are being changed by God have a significant love story to tell of His grace which has the power to transform society.
QUIET REVIVAL
We have heard reports lately of what has been described as a ‘Quiet revival’ as many from Generation Z return to church meetings and rediscover The Book in the UK. These are encouraging signs for which we are deeply grateful to the God of all grace.
The second line of thought on my walk was a reminder of a dream a friend of ours had some years ago. In the dream he heard the words, “Prepare for an awakening.” And of course our immediate thought would be, “Have we prepared sufficiently for this season which appears to be upon us?”
In our praying, let us be aware of the ‘way the wind of the Spirit is blowing.’ Let us ask and keep asking for a consistent hunger for God within the next generations and that leaders would NOT try to control what God is doing! But rather yield to the Author of Life in every way so that Jesus may receive ALL of the credit and establish His Kingdom on earth as in the heavens as He sees fit.
[1] Ephesians 1:3 The Message