Could this be Revival? by John Avant

A few days ago someone responded to one of my videos on social media and asked me if I thought we were in a “window of opportunity“ for a nationwide revival in this country? That’s a great question. 

I believe the answer to that is a resounding “yes!”

But let’s remember that when opportunity knocks we still have to answer the door!

No matter your opinion concerning Charlie Kirk’s death, his murder has sparked spiritual interest, especially among young adults, in ways we haven’t seen in decades. But it’s important to note that we were already seeing signs of collegiate revival before his murder! Large numbers of conversions and baptisms have become common-place in campuses across America over the last few years. 

Historically,  movements we call revival or spiritual awakening have been crucial components in the history of our nation. In fact, many scholars believe there would have been no new nation called the United States without the First Great Awakening. 

It’s pretty disappointing to know then, that often the greatest opponents to revival movements among God’s people have been, well… God’s people!

In the First Great Awakening, believers in America divided into camps called “old lights“ and “new lights.”  The old lights felt that revival was too emotional and brought too much change to the church. So they largely missed what God was doing.

I came to faith in Jesus in the 1970's during what is known as the Jesus Movement. Younger believers have no memory of the time in which guitars and drums were considered “tools of the devil” in churches. And the idea of hippies being saved and coming to church, dressed in these strange ways, was too much for many churches.  An evangelist friend of mine led about one hundred hippies to the Lord back then and called ten churches to ask if he could bring them to be discipled and baptized and only one said yes! Some threatened to call the police.

So here we are again.

How do we learn from past mistakes and not miss this moment?

Here are a few suggestions that might be worth prayerful consideration:

• Trade your soapbox for a prayer altar

Every revival movement has excesses and theological issues worthy of criticism. However, there is little evidence that critics of revival have facilitated healthier movements of God. More often they have simply hindered or even stopped those movements. Before criticizing what appears to be a movement of God, consider the possibility that the Holy Spirit is fully capable of shaping and protecting what He does!

He may not need you to do it. 

And also consider that your own pride may cause you to miss what you actually need yourself. “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” ‭‭James‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬ 

If you feel a great need to “speak out“ during these days, make sure you are “speaking up” first - upward to the throne. Those are the words that matter most. I seek to look in my own mirror as I write these words even now. 

• Value unity as much as God does

I have been very strong since the murder of Charlie Kirk in calling people to grieve together in these days rather than argue about politics or racial issues. Anyone who knows me knows that I have pastored extremely racially diverse churches.   I hate racism. I have and will call it out, regardless of the cost personally. 

But this kind of division right now, when we most need revival, when we most need unity, feels absolutely wrong to me. We need to listen to each other well. We need to guard our words. But we also need to let God decide what He uses, and who He uses as a spark of revival.

Revival doesn’t always look like us, talk like us or vote like us. 

Jesus meant something when He called for unity in the body for the sake of the gospel:

““I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” ‭‭John‬ ‭17‬:‭20‬-‭21‬ ‭

Let that sink in just a moment. The one we call Lord, prayed to God the Father that you and I would have the same unity that the Father and Son has! This is for the purpose of the world  believing the gospel!

That purpose is more important than all of our arguments. The mission of Jesus is more important than anything! It’s time for God‘s people to act that way.

• Do something

“For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.” ‭‭

James‬ ‭2‬:‭26‬ ‭ESV‬‬

If Jesus is moving, why don’t you move too? Join him. Go with Him. Do what He does.  He loves. He serves. He heals. He disciples. He proclaims good news.  

Do that. 

Don’t just sit there. 

Go to your prayer closet, but don’t stay in there! Get out where people are and join Jesus in practical ways. Disciple a student. Start a new small group. Ask people spiritual questions and be ready to give an answer. 

Just do something with Jesus.

These are fearful times.  But they are also exciting times! These are revival times!

Revival is dangerous. 

Missing it is more dangerous.

God is moving! It doesn’t have to be perfect. It’s OK if you’re uncomfortable. 

But it’s not OK to miss it!

Let’s go!

“…I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭6‬:‭2‬ ‭