In Matthew 5:16, Jesus instructs us, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” This draws attention to the important outcome. After all is said and done, the Christian faith is about being fruitful and performing good works (productivity). It is good when people repent of their sins. It is wonderful to have non-stop prayers, worship, and various manifestations of the Holy Spirit. But none of this can be considered a final goal. The sign of an awakened and revived spirit are the good works you perform in your community.
It is important to be careful and objective when attending revival meetings. Otherwise, our Christian walk will become nothing more than a thrill ride. Our Christian walk is a daily one, not an ongoing quest for a “mountaintop” experience. A Christian who is constantly looking for the charismatic and spectacular is no different from a drug addict looking for their next high. It is the exact same thing. What matters is not your ability to speak in tongues or chant in the spirit. Your ability to solve real-world problems is what announces you to the outside world.
While we take inspiration from the Asbury Revival and the history of Christian revivals. Let us have in mind the words of Apostle Paul, “Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:19-21). The ultimate goal of all spirituality is to live a fruitful life. In the Bible, our ability to pray is never considered an end goal. It is not an indication of fruitfulness in and of itself. Consider your own spiritual life and ways to revitalize your relationship with God. How are you leveraging your revived spirit to make a difference?
