Revival Refuses to Stand Still

Last weekend I went to the Brownsville Revival Reunion Conference in Pensacola, Florida. I met some wonderful people and stood side-by-side with them in heart-felt worship. I celebrated the great things that God did fourteen years ago at Brownsville Assembly of God.

Yet, as much as I enjoyed the meetings, I got a sense that many of the people there were still stuck in 1995. They wanted to hear the old songs, they longed for the old messages. They wanted to remember what it used to feel like it did when they first experienced God in the Pensacola Outpouring.

Let me be clear, there is nothing wrong with remembering. It would really do us well to reflect on the good things that God has done in our lives.

Yet, God doesn't stand still. He moves; and if we do not move with Him, we will be left behind.

I remember the struggles that I felt when the flames of the Smithton Outpouring first began to wane. I was deeply touched in those meetings and could not imagine things being any different. I loved the songs, I loved the distinctive small church environment and tone. I had a hard time moving on to a new expression of spiritual awakening but somehow had to learn how to do so.

I had someone say, "That is a lot easier for you to say and do. Since May 2, of 2008 your congregation has experienced a wonderful new season of revival."

Yes, it is a lot easier to do when God is doing a new thing in your midst. But that is the point. God is wanting to do a new thing and for the most part few are willing to respond.

Understand whether you go on or whether you remain, revival refuses to stand still.