Vision Logo Circle
Vision Logo Circle

Revive My Heart, God!

by | Fri, Nov 5 2021

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Author: Kristine Lee

Revival. It’s a big word. In the Christian world, most think of a great move of the Holy Spirit. Lots of wailing. Groups of people being convicted of their sins and coming back to God. But equally, if not more for this season, revival is so wanting, in a personal way.

So many are battle worn. COVID has been long drawn. And we are tired.

There was a season I felt the same. In a relentless fast-paced job that demanded all of my time, I found myself feeling far from God. Physically I was worn. Spiritually I was in a dry, parched land. I missed God, yet it felt dreary to try to draw near to Him. I missed the intimacy we had. I missed my first love.

So I tried reading a few devotionals about intimacy with God. One was “Practising the Presence of God” by Brother Lawrence. Brother Lawrence was a cook who kept his focus on God through his daily mundane tasks. For forty years, He never stopped walking with, and communing with God. Oh how I longed to feel the presence of God even as I went about my work tasks.

In theory there should be no divide between our regular daily tasks and certain disciplines – God is with me at all times. In practice, it was difficult when different demands clamour for my attention. COVID came, along with working from home. There were extremely long working times. Some sleepless ones. I was tired. I was weary.

Then I went on a honeymoon with Jesus. We took long walks, and had chats amongst towering trees. We listened to the birds sing, and my heart began to sing. Resting in Him was the agenda and the lesson. I started to worship whilst I was doing household chores. I wept in prayer, and I spirit rejoiced. As I gazed about the beauty of my Saviour, my heart started to burn for Him.

I had fallen in love with Jesus again.

Out of that rest and intimacy, God brought others to Him, week after week. Love is contagious.

But how do I sustain this back in the hum drum of life? I started to research more into the meaning of revival. ‘Chayah’, the Hebrew word for ‘revive’ is also means ‘to live’, ‘give life’, ‘save’, ‘restore to life’. There are many contexts for revival. ‘Chayah’ is mentioned 16 times in Psalm 119, the longest Psalm in the Bible. The Psalmist petitions God to revive him in His Word, ways, and love. Samson’s spirit came alive again when God answered his plea for water (Judges 15:19). The widow’s son was restored to life when God heard Elijah’s plea. (1 Kings 17:22) Adam ‘lived (chayah) 130 years’. (Genesis 5:3) Rahab was ‘saved’ from the destruction that met the rest of Jericho. (Joshua 6:25)

Then it struck me. God had not only saved me from the destruction of sin and revived me from a spiritually dead life, He also, like Adam, had been helping me live each day.

I recall the many, many times He has met me through the days. Some days it was just a butterfly fluttering past. Another day a child smiling at me or a chat with a colleague. It could be listening to Christian radio whilst working or going about mundane chores. Some days it was the immense joy of people accepting invites into God’s family. And yet, at times it was just in the silence as I pondered on Him, or as I am reading His Word.

The Saviour who willingly suffered and died for me, who conquered death for me so I can have life and life abundant. The Creator who sovereignly created such beauty around me, yet bends down to rejoice over me, a sinner, with singing. The God whose heart breaks for the suffering we go through, which He goes through with us. I see His grace everywhere I look. His love, undeniable. How can I not be revived in my love for Him? How can I not be awakened to my purpose He has for me?

In His Creation, through His people, in His Word, He has revived my heart, time and time again.

God alone decides what revival will look like, and when or where it will happen, as we pray for revival in our church, nation or our own hearts. But I know

He will revive. He will cause to live. He will restore to life.

And I will once again be humbled by His grace, and raptured by His love.

Reflect & Respond

  • How have you experienced revival in your heart? How is God directing revival for you now? What does your revival look like this time?
  • What aspects of God’s grace do you see in your daily life? How is He loving on you today? How is your heart responding?
  • Are you setting aside time to ‘honeymoon’ with Jesus or stealing pockets of time with Him through the day?