Things are happening in the world, aren’t they? Strange things. People want to change their gender. Women want to be given the legal right to end the life of their baby. Men want to marry men and women want to marry women. There are rumors of impending WW III. There are Chinese spy balloons and strange train derailments.

And it is all starting to sound like just another day of news. Some days we complain about it, but most days we just accept the ugly, sinful things abounding in our world and go about our business.

Ah, but then there is the revival phenomenon taking place at the Asbury College Campus and other campuses and venues across the country. It feels like spiritual revival is happening! And the absolute beauty of that is making the ugliness in the world seem even uglier than it did before!

Is this true revival? Is God doing something miraculous in this generation right before our eyes?

What does it take to have a legitimate revival? The definition of REVIVAL is “an improvement in the condition or strength of something.”

And God gives us instruction on the “ingredients” of revival during a time of cultural sinfulness in Joel 2:12-13

Even now, when you were on that porn site just last night.

Even now, when we are encouraged by the world to do whatever makes us happy, even though our desires don’t line up with God’s word.

Even now, when you want to walk away from your marriage because someone else makes you feel happier.

Even now, when anxiety and depression are freezing you in place.

Even now, when you gambled away a month's pay and have to lie to your spouse about it.

Even now, when you are carrying the shame of an abortion because it seemed like your only way out.

Even now, as you’re reading this with blurry eyes because you woke up hungover yet again.

God’s word tells us that when we return to Him broken ENOUGH (“with all our heart”) to fast, weep and mourn, He will show us the depth of His grace, compassion and love. And that’s an issue for us, isn’t it? It’s hard to come to Him WITH ALL OUR HEART because the draw of those sinful bad habits and desires is strong and we don’t WANT to leave them.

We want the peace of God. BUT we also want a piece of the world. We want heaven, but we want it in a future sense. We want both the approval of social media AND God. We know we aren’t satisfied with our lives, but we aren’t ready to walk away from the overindulgences, the self-satisfaction, the fear, and the illusion of having control.

What does it mean to rend your heart and not just your garment? In Bible times, the rending (tearing) of garments was a tangible measure of the grief and utter horror of the sin that was taking place around them.

I have seen so many pictures on the internet of the people at these revivals who are face down on the altar weeping! This is their expression of grief, horror and repentance much as rending the garment was then. However, if we don’t carry that repentance out of the safety of the sanctuary and back into our daily lives, let it invade our hearts, and change the path we’re on, then haven’t we just been swept along on a temporary wave of emotion?

But it’s a START! The beauty of being in these special retreats and revival experiences is that we begin to become more aware of His presence in our lives. We are more attuned to HIS will and OUR sin. And it begins to change us.

I believe there is true repentance and life change happening at these revivals. There are people praying for each other and weeping with each other. 2020 began our period of isolation, and it became so easy to stay home. If you are ready to experience a spiritual revival, please don’t go it alone! Josh always says that even if you’re watching online at home, don’t make a habit of watching alone. We need each other.

So, go to every worship night, conference, revival and retreat that you can find and afford. FAST from the sin, and be hungry for God. WEEP for the distance you’ve created from the Father and begin to walk back to Him even if you only take baby steps! MOURN who you were before He found you, and grab hold of grace with both hands.

Someday we will see the face of the God Who is waiting to give you an abundant and REVIVED life. Don’t wait until you get to heaven! Run to Him! EVEN NOW!