What is it, really?

I know this isn’t going to resound with many…well, not in these circles. But this is why I blog – to express my thoughts. And, as you may know, my thoughts may twist and turn sometimes. But I’m always open to people questioning them – constructively. And, if not actually changing my mind, perhaps changing my trajectory; or at least one small piece of my thoughts. 

So why would I care what’s happening halfway around the world right now in Wilmore, Kentucky? Well, quite simply because I was thinking about it. 

Most people reading this won’t even know what I’m talking about. Here’s a bit from the web page of a university in Wilmore: 

“Since February 8, 2023, Asbury University students along with faculty, staff, administrators, local community members, and visitors from out-of-town have been gathering in Hughes Auditorium for a time of spiritual renewal. The Lord is at work as radical compassion, confession, change and transformation are taking place.” 

It’s been called “The Asbury Revival.” But I don’t think it really is. A “revival,” I mean. I can’t say that I’m an expert in revivaling, though. I do know what a pep-rally is, and that’s what I think most “revivals” are. I suppose some of those students might actually be “revived.” But in the long run? No. I don’t think so. 

I attended two sessions of a Billy Graham Crusade in San Jose nearly 30 years ago. It was the same thing (but much bigger, of course). Massive crowds of people descending on something they wanted to happen. I think it’s because we humans long for a spiritual thirst to be satisfied. We want something happening in our lives. We want to experience God through the Holy Spirit, and I can’t blame anyone for that. Not at all. The Bible tells us in one of my favorite verses – Ecclesiastes 3:11 – that we should expect it. Because “he has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” There we are. Always searching. 

But now what? Sure, let Asbury go on for weeks or months or years, but to what end? I’m not just talking about the changed lives of people who already profess Christ. I’m talking about changed lives of every single person to whom the Asbury students proclaim the gospel. Relentlessly so. 

Do we want revival? We’ve got it right in front of us. We’ve got it every day we read God’s word; every day we fellowship with our brothers and sisters. But if we just want to feel good for a while and then fall back into the drudgery of a typical “Christian” life, then sure — go ahead and go to a pep rally. I’ve been to pep rallies. I’ve been to church meetings. I’ve experienced the euphoria of each environment. And I got it big time when I was about 15 rows behind the Packer bench at Lambeau Field with my brother for a game against the Forty-Niners. 

I’m not coming down on those who go to Asbury, or on those who are already there. It’s a great thing to experience the work of the Holy Spirit in a movement. But we’ve seen movements before, and they really haven’t changed anything. The trajectory of the world is still the same. It’s honestly not getting any better. More and more people are not sincerely coming to Christ because of this. Naysayers in the “church” are (it looks to be) willfully misunderstanding what’s going on and condemning it while others think it’s the best thing since sliced bread. There’s aggression, and then there’s defensiveness. Personally, I’m all for the praise and worship that’s going on. It’s refreshing. I just think we’ve got to take it for what it is. 

This world need something. I just don’t think a pep rally is going to do it.

I know I have more to say on this. Stay tuned…