What is Revival?

Revival. What is it exactly? I've been pondering this question for months, maybe even years. My thoughts turn to it when we have at our church what dictionary.com defines as: 

an evangelistic service or a series of services for the purpose of effecting a religious awakening: to hold a revival

Our particular church holds two of these a year. However, I think that perhaps the services in themselves are not quite enough to "effect a religious awakening". Dictionary.com gives another definition:

an awakening, in a church or community, of interest in and care for matters relating to personal religion

Historically, I've heard of this happening. I've seen it for brief periods of time in my church and community. If religion is all we care about, it is evident that our world is even interested in revival. We see evidences of religion about us everywhere we look. However, the religion we see in our country today is based primarily on the worship and pursuit of things far removed from the Creator God Almighty.

The dictionary goes on to define the word with this:

restoration to life, consciousness, vigor, strength, etc. 

If we acknowledge that life and strength come from the Lord Jesus Christ alone, then this definition may get a bit closer to what we desire through revival.

Nancy Leigh DeMoss has a ministry devoted to the purpose of revival called Revive Our Hearts. She defines her goal as calling women to freedom, fullness, and fruitfulness in Christ. When I think of personal revival, I believe these goals, even if they may not cover the full scope of what revival means, are worthy of my pursuit.


Freedom. Freedom from sin. Freedom from being pressed into the mold of the world. Freedom from anyone's opinion of me but God's. Freedom from unrealistic, perfectionistic expectations. Freedom to become the one God has created me to be.


Fullness. We women hear a lot about being "fulfilled" as in reaching our full potential. God definitely has a plan for our lives and He wants us to reach the heights of it. I want to revel in His purpose for me. I want to experience the fullness of His love, His blessings, His correction and His plan for me.

Fruitfulness. Any changes in my personal life mean nothing if they do not spill out to others. What good is it to experience the love of God if my life does not reach out to others in love? What good is joy or peace if no one sees evidence of it in my life? What good is salvation from sin if it doesn't work to keep me free from sin? What good is the fullness of the Spirit if my life is filled with everything but Him?


In Christ. Any of these things could be pursued by anyone in this world, but if they are pursued outside of Christ, we will never reach a true life-restoring revival. Our full dependence must be on Him!


Do you desire revival in your heart and life? Join me this week in learning about and praying for this essential cause in our lives as Christians.