Isn’t that so good?
It wasn't that long ago that when I heard the word “revival”, I automatically had an idea or a picture of what that looks like. For me it is an ongoing church service anywhere from 3-5 days where a special speaker and special musicians are invited. Oddly enough, I also picture a tent. I have attended quite a few revivals in my life and when I was a little girl, we always had tent revivals in the summer. Those were probably my favorite. I loved sitting outside even though it was always so hot and services were always long. It was at a tent revival that I first felt the nudging of the Holy Spirit and I realized my need for a Savior. Revival also makes me think of food or as many call it, fellowship. Because there was always a special day during the week that the church would get together in honor of the speaker and have a meal together. And that used to be my idea of revival: A special person, a place and some food.
The dictionary defines revival this way:
restoration to life, consciousness, vigor, strength. An awakening, in a church or community. The act of reviving.
And the NT Greek Strongs Concordance says the word revival is from the word ‘anapsucho’ and it means a recovery of breath, i.e. (figuratively) revival.
A recovery of breath. I love that picture! A recovery of breath that can only come from the One who gives us breath. A recovery that cannot come from organizing an event and making something happen, but simply,—simply seeking God. Revival cannot be manufactured because revival is the result of the direct action of the Holy Spirit in authority and power.
When I was 22, revival started. The Holy Spirit breathed into me as I walked out Jeremiah 29:13-14. As I stepped into what the Lord had already declared. . .
"You will find me, declares the Lord, when you seek me with your whole heart." (emphasis mine)
The Message puts it like this: “When you come looking for me, you’ll find me. Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I’ll make sure you won’t be disappointed.” God’s Decree.
Revival starts with seeking Him and stepping into the momentum of what He has already declared. But we tend to seek things and places and people. But God never told us to seek things, but to seek Him. We tend to focus on the outside while God says, “Rend your heart and not your garments.” (Joel 2:13)
Revival starts with us. It doesn't take a special person or a special place or special time, it takes a willing heart who simply seeks God. As I seek Him, I find Him and He breathes on me. As I step into what He has already declared, I am revived. My soul is awakened.
Revival won't happen without us, but we can't do it without Him. “Not by might, nor by power but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty.” (Zech 4:6)