I embraced the view that all the global church needed, and all the wider culture needed was revival - an encounter with the one true God that will alter the course and very structure of every individual and system. This sounded wonderful, it became my hope and expectation. This directly translated to my religious activity - which is to say; I waited, and waited, and waited.
At one juncture this view that I held was challenged. It was pointed out that the culture (spiritual climate if you will) of the old testament was a "Visitational" one. God's interactions with His people was limited to select individuals at select times in select circumstances.
In contrast; under the new covenant - brought by Christ all God's people are inhabited by His spirit; the very person of the Holy Spirit. What this means is that by comparison God no longer merely "visits" His people. He literally lives within them. We are living in a "Habitational" spiritual climate and culture.
If we take this truth and apply it to the concept of revival things start to become dis-joined. The view of revival says that we must wait patiently until God chooses to come and visit His people in a tangible way. Maybe if we worship longer, or praise louder, or display some form of charismatic behavior, we may be able to goad Him into manifesting. Despite the revival view, the scriptures are clear in that God is not coming to "visit" us. He is living within us; He is already here!
The problem with the revival mindset is not that we want God to touch our lives and the world around us in a tangible way. The problem lies in that while we are waiting on God He is waiting on us. We see this principle in the parable of the Talents and Minas. God is waiting on His people; who are full of His Spirit to not only be personally transformed but responsible in bringing a measure of transformation to every area of our influence.
From a formulaic perspective "revival" is simply this: "God's people doing what God has called them to do". If that statement is true then the "issue of revival" rests squarely on the shoulders of God's people.
To wait on God for "revival" is a testament to the spiritual laziness, immaturity, and unwillingness of God's people to do the very things He has designed and gifted them to do. I concede that this is a harsh statement; and in fairness many may be ignorant of their gifting's and callings. Even-still that does not negate our responsibility. And let us not forget (apart from the issue of salvation) it is on the basis of our calling that we will be judged.
As a "Post-Revivalist"; where am I now?
Now, my focus has been and continues to be discovering not only who I am and what I'm called to do; but to empower and where possible equip others to do the same. When people are awakened to their potential and empowered to do what God has called them to do; then we will see lives changed, culture transformed, and systems and structures redeemed.
We no longer have need of chasing after or waiting upon "revival". We have the capacity to achieve everything revival promises. For if God is within us, He is with us, and if He is with us - we have no excuse.
Luther.
