The world is in a mode of great anticipation and expectancy. It is a season and time where there is a certain level of eagerness to see what's next on the horizon. People are desperate to see and experience something new, something beyond the ordinary. It's a time when some become comfortable in what they know, that they have no push or desire to seek out the unknown. As children of God, it behooves us to never be too comfortable where we are but, to push and press deeper in HIM, the Fountain of Living Waters.
It is a season of spiritual awakening! The womb of the Spirit groans in great anticipation for a people who will rise up in the Spirit of the Lord, those who carry revival power and those who will become catalysts of revival. Spiritual awakening is where we, through the power of the Holy Spirit are revived, regenerated and awakened from spiritual sleep and slumber.
Very often, we are quick to think that only those who are unchurched need to be awakened spiritually. I want to say to us that, such is not so. As believers and as blood washed saints, there comes a time when we too, need to be spiritually awakened, and this can only be done through the power of the Holy Ghost.
In this season, there are many who have lost the fire and need a new touch. Their fire sticks need to be placed in the fire once more. For some, the coals upon their altar have become smouldered that what they continue to experience is smoke without any fire.
On the other hand, many have succumbed to the perils of discouragement and disappointedness that they neglect prayer, worship and the word. To a greater extent, they no longer anticipate coming together with the saints. They have lost their sense of direction and purpose that they no longer know who they are in Christ. Romans 13:11 states, "And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed."
There is also a set of persons who constantly keep serving and giving of themselves. Many stretch themselves beyond capacity in order to fit and fill various positions in the Body of Christ. These are the ones who continue to pour out into others and as a result, they feel as if they are running empty, having nothing to give. To you, the Lord is saying, Isaiah 57:15 "For this is what the high and exalted One says—he who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite"
Others have lost themselves as a result of heeding to the temptations of the enemy and thereby, living in sin or even falling into disrepute. They may feel so broken, thinking that they are beyond repair and lost, that the enemy not only let them feel dismayed, sorrowful but also as if they are no longer worthy. Romans 12:2 reminds us, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."
Acts 3:19 declares, "Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus."
I want to say that if we ever find ourselves in any of these categories, we need a spiritual awakening. It is when we truly repent of our sins, get back to where our all is placed on the altar of sacrifice laid, where we see only God Himself and where our all is lost in Him, that we desire to obey Him at all cost, desiring another dimension in Him that His manifested presence becomes more of a waking-walking reality to us then, we will see revival taking place. Matthew 11:28:30 declares, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Are we ready for a spiritual awakening? How about the posture of our hearts? Is our heart at the place where it is all upon Him? The songwriter carefully penned it well when he said, "Let me lose myself and find it Lord in Thee". Are we willing to make prayer and fasting a lifestyle rather than just something we run to when we have a dire need? Are we willing to sacrifice what we see as important to us for God's greater glory? Are we willing to follow hard after the things of God forgetting vanity and holding onto obedience?
Spiritual awakening and revival comes to those who are ready and willing to pay the price. William J. Seymour, Charles Parham, Frank Bartleman and Florence Crawford they postured themselves. They wanted to experience God in a manner that was not common to them, and so they sacrificed their time, they prayed, they fasted, setting their minds and hearts upon Him and the Lord wrought the biggest and most powerful revival of all times called the Azusa Street Revival through them.
Are we ready for a spiritual awakening? The Holy Ghost is ready and so must you! Psalm 46:10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
God bless you!
Shalom, shalom!
