ORDINARY PEOPLE
It seems I am about as burdened for a move of God in the Church and in our culture as I have ever been. It has been over 100 years since the great outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Wales. I’m certainly not a great student of Church history but it seems to me, when God gets ready to move, he often uses someone who is a relative unknown. Why he does that I’m not sure, except that using an unknown almost guarantees all the glory going to God.
As I viewed the video clip above, my parched soul began to long for streams in the desert. I yearn to hear the lapping of
the water of life on the shores of my heart. My flickering spiritual eyes strain to see the Son of Righteous rising with healing in his wings. Brother Leonard Ravenhill once said that he was tired of reading and hearing stories about revival. I concur. Stories about revival are wonderful, challenging and inspiring. But there comes a time when a picture, story or video won’t do. There must be a ‘want to’ in the heart of the believer.
the water of life on the shores of my heart. My flickering spiritual eyes strain to see the Son of Righteous rising with healing in his wings. Brother Leonard Ravenhill once said that he was tired of reading and hearing stories about revival. I concur. Stories about revival are wonderful, challenging and inspiring. But there comes a time when a picture, story or video won’t do. There must be a ‘want to’ in the heart of the believer.
It’s one thing to be a football player who sits on the bench cheering but it is an entirely different thing to actually be in the game. I remember playing football in high school and standing on the sidelines. I wanted to be in the game so badly that I kept pestering the coach till he put me in the game. That’s sort of how I see Evan Roberts and the Welsh Revival. God took a young man of only 26 years. He could have chosen G. Campbell Morgan, but he didn’t. He chose an ‘ordinary’ young man with a passion for God, a man unknown by men but known by God. The dictionary defines ‘ordinary’ as ‘unexceptional’ or ‘commonplace’. Interestingly, when our Lord Jesus went looking for men to handle the greatest assingment ever given, he too chose the ordinary and unlearned. Paul, in writing to the Church at Corinth pointed out that “…God chose what is foolish…to shame the wise…what is weak…to shame the strong…what is low and despised…to bring to nothing things that are so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.” (I Cor. 1:27-29). Today, perhaps more than any time in history, there are Christian celebrities. When one thinks of God sending revival, surely it would be through one of them. Perhaps. However, if history is any indicator, the instrument through whom God would send revival will be one through whom God can get all the glory. He will be a person, who can serve God without getting in the way and stealing the glory. He will be one who can say,”…may the lamb that was slain receive the reward of his suffering…” He will lay down his own life that Christ be exalted. He will decrease that He might increase.
It has been over 100 years since the Welsh Revival. Seems like an awfully long time to me. Could it be that God is in search of another man, woman, or group of believers through whom he could send an awakening? Surely the time is right. Wonder who it might be? One hundred years ago it was a young man named Evan, whose passion for God lit the flames of revival on multiple continents. Who could it possibly be? You? Me? “Coach! Coach! Put me in!”
*If these or any postings are an encouragement or create some thought or question, please leave a comment by clicking below on the “no comments” or “comments” button.
Comment by Jimazing | October 13th, 2007
I hear your desire for a move of God in the church and in our culture. It is a great desire. It is a Godly desire. I believe it is happening and as surely as the torch was passed to you, you are a player in this game.
Like in the story in the video, God is using people many would consider “unlikely”. In fact many times, the ones He uses are criticized and even demonized by the “mainstream church”. We need to get back to truly loving God and our neighbors first… and never forgetting who our neighbor is. The world is watching and they are largely unimpressed with what they see.
God help us to just see and love people the way you do.
Comment by drew powell | October 14th, 2007
hey pastor dave, jamie and I love your blog. We watched “we are marshall” the other night and missed you guys. The only thing better would have been to watch it with you. we could picture you coming out of your seat. check out my blog at http://www.drewpowellblog.com. love you….
Comment by Jim Aisenstein | October 15th, 2007
Dear Bro. Dave,
We all want what they had in Wales, and in all moves of God, but I remain convinced that God wants far more for us in this day. As one preacher once put it, “He’s not looking for a visitation, but a habitation”. He wants a people who constitutionally walk in their given place in His ordered Body, where He is the Head. That’s the people He’s coming back for and the people He is brooding over, gathering together and filling up. A people who exalt His Holiness and walk in His love. I don’t want to settle for anything less than to be a part of that people. The Body of Christ is not a metaphor, it is a real flesh and blood body whose Head is in heaven and who does His will on earth. I know I’m not saying anything new, but I hope we are looking forward and not backward. The only way any of us can get where God wants us to be is through seeking Him with all of our heart and obeying the next thing He says to us. It is through the “simplicity of devotion to Christ”. My 2 cents for today.
Love to you and Kathi,
Jim
Comment by Pastor Mark | December 11th, 2007
Dave: I’m rereading this one message today…and my heart is again stirred to a newer depth. I’m not necessarily an “athletic sort of girl” to say “coach, send me in” but I want to be a part of the team, even if it’s the water/gatoraide girl, or the towel person, or whatever!!! Joy
Comment by Dave | December 11th, 2007
Joy
I’ll take you on my team anytime.