Bob, have you heard about the 11-day revival that broke out at Asbury University? Yes, of course. Then why haven’t you written about it? Mainly because I know nothing about it nor have I ever been part of such an event.

However, since it is my practice to write when I get the same input from two or more disparate sources, I’m writing about it now, as it is coming to a close (see the article above). What input?

First, perspective. I think John Stonestreet on BreakPoint captured the right attitude. (This excerpt also contains links for more info if you’re hearing about this for the first time.)

It’s rare (and rarely good) when a Christian college chapel makes the evening news. But a service that began last Wednesday at Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky is still going, and news outlets have noticed. Now “The Asbury Awakening” is attracting visitors from all over. As one observer described:  

When I arrived, I saw hundreds of students singing quietly. They were praising and praying earnestly for themselves and their neighbors and our world—expressing repentance and contrition for sin and interceding for healing, wholeness, peace, and justice.   

Nearly 300 years ago, Jonathan Edwards offered five marks of a true work of the Holy Spirit. A true revival elevates Christ, opposes sin and Satan, prizes the Bible, distinguishes truth from error, and manifests love. So far, so good. Please pray for the students, leadership, and visitors of Asbury University, that what we are seeing there will spread and grow, renew the hearts of God’s people, and heal the wounds of our troubled land.  – An Awakening at Asbury, BreakPoint, February 16, 2023

Amen. I too pray that what’s going on at Asbury will spread.

But the spectacular revival at Asbury is NOT what I want to write about. While I was researching previous such events, I found a reflection preached at Wheaton College on the 10-year anniversary of their 1995 revival. The reflection ended with this insightful paragraph:

The revival of 1995 was indeed a remarkable work of God in the hearts and lives of His people on campus—one that prepared many to live lives of devotion to Christ. But wouldn’t it be wonderful if we truly never needed another revival? What if, instead, we would be faithful in the little things, giving attention to personal relationships, and finding freedom and healing and wholeness on a daily basis in this Christian community? – The Revival Remembered, Dr. Stephen B. Kellough, emphasis mine

The same sentiment was captured by The Babylon Bee in its own satirical way [If you’re not familiar with the Babylon Bee, the following paragraphs are entirely fictitious, designed to make an important point.]:

Experts have uncovered a new phenomenon in the revivalism industry: a “revival” that occurs every Sunday where God’s people gather to worship and receive the means of grace.

“Believers have long drawn their spiritual sustenance, courage, and strength to make it through another day from revivals – but this new ‘Weekly Revival’ may make the Christian walk that much more scalable, repeatable, and consistent!” said revivalism expert Jonah Mothbottom in response to the recent and widespread adoption of these new weekly Sunday meetings.

Holy Spirit expert Jackson Pasteur has weighed in as well: “While we still maintain that Christians should wait for the rush of a real once-in-a-lifetime revival to help them power through their lives in the power of the Spirit, these weekly revivals may be a useful stop-gap while they’re waiting for God to sweep them off their feet with ‘the real thing.'”

Experts caution that while the weekly revivals could be useful as a temporary means to help Christians in their walk, the Sunday revivals would not be a valid long-term substitute for overwhelming week-long emotional experiences at college chapels. – Experts Discover Strange New ‘Revival’ That Occurs Every Sunday For Some Reason, February 17, 2023

I like the Wheaton reflection’s emphasis on “daily” better than the Bee’s “weekly,” but the ideas are the same. While we wait for the spectacular, we miss the opportunity to follow God today. To hear from him today. To talk with him today. To confess sins today.

We tend to like the spectacular, and many will travel great distances to the right “place.” I think I’ll say more about that tomorrow.

In the meantime, instead of waiting for revival, maybe we should just practice “vival.” You don’t need reviving unless something is wrong, yes?

Mark a life of discipline and live wisely; don’t squander your precious life. Blessed the man, blessed the woman, who listens to me, awake and ready for me each morning, alert and responsive as I start my day’s work. When you find me, you find life, real life, to say nothing of GOD’s good pleasure. (Proverbs 8.33 – 35, MSG)

Oh, the joys of those who do not follow evil men’s advice, who do not hang around with sinners, scoffing at the things of God. But they delight in doing everything God wants them to, and day and night are always meditating on his laws and thinking about ways to follow him more closely. They are like trees along a riverbank bearing luscious fruit each season without fail. Their leaves shall never wither, and all they do shall prosper. (Psalm 1.1 – 3, The Living Bible)