Growing up in the southern part of the United States…Texas, to be specific…I heard and used words that may not be in general use globally. Part of the richness of our various heritages. Here are some examples:

Slather – it means to smear something on you or something else. Usage: Slather this cream on your face and by morning you will look ten years younger!

Tump – to tip or turn over something. Usage (usually heard from my mom or dad): Don’t you tump that bucket of water in here, young man!

Fixin’ – not to be confused with “fixing” something. It is not about fixing something or someone. It is about anticipating something. Usage: I’m fixin’ to go to the store. Y’all need anything?

There is a word I have been hearing a lot these days. Revival. What has transpired on the campus of Asbury University in Kentucky has rightly been called a revival. But that isn’t what I thought the word meant growing up. We had revival meetings…some lasting two weeks…that were all about getting the lost to church and seeing them ask Jesus to be their Lord. That’s a good thing, but it wasn’t revival. You see, you can’t RE-vive something that has never been “vived.” Those were evangelistic meetings we mistakenly called revivals.

To be clear, we need both kinds of meetings. It starts with a conviction of our own sin before God. Then, our heartfelt repentance and confession of that sin. Followed by our turning from the path of sin to a path of righteousness. Revival.

Out of that should come a sense of evangelism that drives us to share the hope and joy we have in Christ with those around us on that pathway of sin. Without our own hearts being revived, evangelism is an exercise, an external activity not driven by our hearts.

I’ve been through multiple conferences and seminars on how to share my faith in Jesus with others. I don’t remember one that began with true revival. What I learned was good. The various methods have been helpful. But it is a rote activity if not driven by a heart in tune with and led by the Holy Spirit.

The Psalmist cried out to God:

Come back, we beg you, O God of Heaven’s Armies.

Look down from heaven and see our plight.

Then we will never abandon you again.

Revive us so we can call on your name once more.

Psalm 80:14,18 NLT

The prophet Habakkuk had a similar impassioned plea to the Lord:

I have heard all about you, Lord.

I am filled with awe by your amazing works.

In this time of our deep need,

help us again as you did in years gone by.

And in your anger,

remember your mercy.

Habakkuk 3:2 NLT

And, of course, we are moved and propelled toward a revival of our own hearts with these words of Scripture:

…if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.

2 Chronicles 7:14 NLT

Words matter. But the condition of our heart matters more. What will the Lord do with the outpouring of confession, repentance, and pure worship borne from a heart committed to Him? I pray we see it in our lifetime…and may it be very soon!

God’s best,