“Lord, send a revival, and let it begin with me.” As a child, I liked this song. It had a catchy tune, and of course we should want revival and why shouldn’t it begin with me? At the time, what I understood this to mean was that I needed to be a good girl and then maybe others would follow suit. Oh, the innocence of childhood.

As I was praying for revival the other day, I paused, as I wonder if I am really ready for it. I have heard that the Church in China is praying for persecution in our country so that we will experience revival. As much as I don’t like to think about it, even personal revival often follows severe testing. It doesn’t have to but too many times, we don’t recognize our sincere need for God until we are so far down we can’t help but look up.

James 1:2-4 says, “My brothers, count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith works patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”

Humanly, the last thing I want is to go through a trial, yet James tells us that it is those very trials which helps to mold us into the sons and daughters that our Father wishes us to be. As He increases, we decrease. That is when we begin to spread His light so that others can see the love, joy, peace, longsuffering, etc. that only Christ can give.

Many Christians are content with the fact that they are saved, but they lose focus of the world around them that is going to Hell. I believe the world is often turned off by Christians, as opposed to seeing something that they desire to have. Brothers and Sisters, this ought not be. We must be willing to ask God to truly search our hearts and try us and see if there be any wicked way in us so that we can be brought to repentance. As we allow Him to change us, others will notice, and we will be better able to give an answer for the Hope that lies within us. When this happens, I believe we will begin to see revival. It may only be on a small scale but any time people are turning to God and growing in their walk with Him, God is being glorified and lives are being changed. That, my friend, is revival.

Sony Elise