Back on the Path

Am I Holding up the Revival?

A number of my friends in the revival trenches are calling for a deep spiritual assessment of what, if anything, might be holding back the Revival that we all know is coming soon. Several are calling leaders to gather to pray together, until God answers them – no matter how long it takes – and I will be part of that.

But this morning, as I started my day off with Him, I got a foretaste. Last evening I had been searching in vain for my automobile registration which had been misplaced somewhere in the chaos that I dignify by calling it my office. I was resentful that He had not helped me. . . .

Father, I spent three hours looking for it without success.

Did you ask me to help?

I assumed I had. I assumed you would.

I like to be asked.

I teach that.

You should practice it. Lead by your example.

I teach that, too.

If you want my power behind your words, there needs to be room for it.

[He was referring to my excess flesh. Long ago, He had told me that if I wanted more of Him, there needed to be less of me.]

Roger. We don’t need a new word; we simply need to start living up to the old word. None of what John G. Lake or any of those other heroes of the faith were preaching was new. But they were totally living it – and that was new. Also, they were so devoid of self that there was immense power and authority in what they preached – and that, too, was new. And they were well aware of the authority with which they spoke and acted and healed, whenever they were in the very center of your holy, perfect will and timing, which, for them, was nearly all the time. That level of faith was so rare that it was remarkable.

So. . . .

Time to start living up to the old word every moment of every day.

You start each day, telling me that.

Talk is cheap, isn’t it.

It can be an easy substitute for acts.

It’s so simple.

Do you want it to be difficult?

It’s not a matter of knowing. It’s a matter of doing. You don’t need a formal education to understand this. In fact, a highly-trained intellect can be a distraction.

What do you teach writers about distraction?

That we court it. We welcome any worthy distraction that gives us an excuse to break off the intense concentration that good writing -- Spirit-led writing – requires..

What else does a well-trained intellect do?

It develops exquisite rationalizations to put off making the absolute, unwavering commitment to keep both feet in your Kingdom all the time. Great scholars of your Word can find ample justification to avoid rash behavior. [Suddenly Joan of Arc comes to mind.] Why am I thinking of the Maid of Orleans?

Why did I choose to use a simple, uneducated farm girl to deliver France from her oppressors?

So that everyone would know that there was nothing in her birth or bloodline -- or education – that could be influencing her. Nothing but obedience to you, so obvious that any soldier or farmer could see it. Perfect, unwavering obedience. . . that ultimately cost her life, when she refused to recant.

[And now I am reminded of another maid of simple background, whose obedience was perfect. ] I am convicted, Father. I talk a good game, but I don’t live it.

What is stopping you from starting right now?

Only the number of times I have intended to, and wound up disappointing both of us.

What do you teach about failure?

That in your Kingdom we don’t fail; we just keep retaking the test, until we finally pass it.

Why don’t you practice what you preach?

There is grace here, now. You are showing me that I can do it, if I will. And you will enable me with supernatural power to do so.

What is stopping you?

Only the memory of all the times I’ve started and failed.

What do you teach about an imperfect heart?

That as long as it is sincerely trying to stay in your Kingdom, as long as it is trying to be obedient, you can use it to encourage other hearts to come and do likewise. You don’t require perfection of your servants. All you require is that we are totally given to the effort. If we remain steadfast to that commitment, choosing the hard way over the easy one each time you ask us to, then we are on the way to becoming your friends.

Does one require a formal education to appreciate that?

Not a bit. All that is required is a strong will and an unshakable determination. Don’t talk about doing it. Do it.

Amen.

Share it?

It is time for you to start sharing again. As long as your heart remains surrendered, I can use it to encourage others.

The path of surrender. . . . it is good to be back on it.

It is good to have you back, my son.

I love you, Father.

And I love you. Vaya con Dios.

VCD.