What is Revival?

Our church is currently in the middle of a 4-day revival. I am told that church revivals are pretty rare these days. So that set me to thinking about this subject. What is the point of revival? What is it, really? Why don't more churches want revival?

As I understand it, revival services are intended to revive our spirits. The daily grind of everyday life tends to weigh us down, speed us up and, often, pull us away from the path God intends for us. Revival is a time to "set right what once went wrong", ( If I may quote a line from Quantum Leap.) sometimes we don't realize just how far we've drifted away from God. This reminds me of the beach. As I get out into the water and enjoy jumping over the waves and splashing around, I look up to the beach, where our car is parked. I want to be sure I can still see it. The more I stay and play in the waves, the less I look up to locate the car. After an hour or so, when I'm ready to get out of the water, I make my way onto the beach. It is then that I realize just how far away the waves have carried me! It's a pretty long walk to get back to where I started.

Life as a Christian can be like that.  The place where you parked on the beach is representative of that time in your life when your were made right with God through faith in Christ. Your sins were forgiven and you committed to living your life fully for Him. Playing on the beach, right by the car, building sand castles and burying yourself in the sand might represent going to church, reading your Bible, hanging out with Christian friends and living in a right relationship with Christ. Going out into the water represents life, full of its ups and downs. Family, jobs, and relationships tend to cause you to drift with the tide. You occasionally look up. That is, you remember your faith, but are too busy " doing life" to really focus your efforts on it. After all, jumping waves CAN be fun! Eventually, the world pulls you so far away from God that you can barely see Him, barely feel His love. You are no longer in a right relationship with Him. It's time to step out of the water and up onto the sand. It's time to walk back up to the place where the car is parked. (And DON't stop to collect seashells along the way!) Revival is a return to God; a time to ask for forgiveness once again. We must renew our commitment to living a life that honors Christ. When we do this, God will refresh our spirits and give us a renewed sense of freedom, hope and purpose. Joy will be restored!

So, why don't more churches have revival services? Perhaps they are busy splashing in the waves of good works. Maybe they are picking up seashells of knowledge. Maybe, just maybe, the currents of "dong church" have caused them to drift away from the Lord. They've been focused on church attendance and finances and the people who criticize. When the waves get high, it can be hard to see and equally hard to hear the still small voice of God. 

WE ALL NEED REVIVAL.  Whether it's as a church or individually, today's Christians NEED to turn back to God, ask for forgiveness, and recommitt to living a life that honors and glorifies Him. When we do, we will feel refreshed, renewed and we'll be ready to share our faith with those around us!