from routine to revival

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, 

according to his power that is at work within us, 

to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."  

Ephesians 3:21-22

As I listened to our guest speaker on Sunday morning preach the first of five revival messages on going from routine to revival, two images crossed my mind that summed up the topic perfectly in my mind.
Routine...

Nothing is more routine to me than my very own backyard...especially in wintertime.  Natural color scheme, nothing new growing, not one thing more outstanding than the other.  Ordinary.  Same day after day.  A true definition of routine, if there ever was one.  Nothing much to speak of with others.
Revival...

Warm sunshine beaming down from a clear blue sky; cool waves crashing upon the rocks on the shore.  A perfect mix of temperatures, colors, and fresh air to revive a winter blues attitude.  No two waves alike.  Anticipation of what may might be spotted in those waters brings about excitement.  Special attention to the details is given so that the memories of the moment would be captured and remembered for a lifetime.  A keen awareness that this is special...something that is worth sharing with others.

The reality of it all is that more of my days are going to be spent in my backyard than on the shores of Cape Town, South Africa.  However, those backyard moments are just as ordained by God as those spent somewhere else.  God is still God and totally awesome in my yard.  That's where my disciple-making calling takes root as I try my best at sharing Christ and living out life as God directs first and foremost with my family.      I am not to take for granted the moments spent in the routine of my days.
I am to look for the extraordinary in the ordinary.
The reality of it all is that there is a struggle between wills of flesh and spirit because the darts start flying when I try to live intentionally; a life free from the distractions stealing my attention away from what God has for me...wants from me...calls me to do.
The reality of it all is that God is good enough, powerful enough, and gracious enough to equip me for His calling on my life.
The reality of it all is that there is no vacation time from God's direction to go and make disciples.

It was that good, y'all.  Really good.  It has been a long time since I've been in a service inside a church building that has opened up to the Spirit's leading such as on Wednesday night.  God answered our pre-revival prayers in ways, perhaps, unexpectedly.  The Spirit was not quenched by the hands on the clock.  God's Word was preached with amazing simplicity, clarity, but most definite certainty.  People gave testimony after testimony.  Healing began.  Hearts were opened.  God was praised.