I was going to skip our last revival meeting tonight. A nearly sleepless night that included dislocating my shoulder trying to wake up from a rough dream (my shoulder pops out of joint easily) and some challenging physical and soul issues, just about had me “down for the count”. I justified it by saying–I hurt tonight, I’m tired, I’m weary of this life tonight.
I even justified it by telling myself that I’d hold my own personal “mini-revival” by doing some scripture work, writing and praying alone tonight. By myself. All good things. I am terrible at the discipline of taking a Sabbath, even worse at pleading with God for personal revival of my mind, heart, soul and strength. I would not be wrong to stay home and have a mini-revival alone………
and yet………
the thought that nagged me most of the day when I would think about not attending, is the importance of church family. My church is family to me. They are family to me, and this series of meetings have been a corporate event—four days set aside to be together, worshipping God through song together, and through hearing the preaching of God’s word–together. Personal revival is important. Corporate Revival is too.
I tend to stay on the peripheral of church still, where I am most settled. Where I can observe quietly without much panic. What I saw tonight–and every night of the revival-is my church being revived as a unit. As a family. This revival makes a link between those who went. Those who worshipped our God side-by-side. Those that prayed with each other at the altar. It was corporate revival, fitting the definition for revival when referring to a church setting in the dictionary:
an awakening, in a church or community, of interest in andcare for matters relating to personal religion.
Do you see that? As the church corporately experiences revival or “awakening”, then there is a natural progression amongst the individuals of that church body to then examine their own personal souls, seeking an intimate revival that is personal.
I wish I could say that my mind and my soul were revived tonight, were much better tonight. However I am still struggling to get my feet back under me. To settle. To sleep if sleep will be granted. But even in the midst of the physical pain, fear and other issues, I am tremendously glad that I did not miss out on corporate worship tonight with my church family.
I ask for your prayers, my friends. I am soul-weary and hurting tonight, but am determined to fight all over again tomorrow.
