Revival for the Weary

            I’ve been praying and thinking about the revival meetings beginning this Sunday.  What exactly is revival and why should we desire it?  The human heart is so easily distracted as it continually latches onto whatever might contribute to its feelings of significance.  We need to believe we are OK, that we matter.  We live for our work, our kid's success, our reputation, our influence, our relationships—anything we can use to give our lives meaning.  

Our inner conversation goes something like this: “I know I matter because I’m successful.  I know my life has meaning because I live for my kids.  I know I have purpose because people respect me.  I know I’m worthwhile because someone loves me.” We can give all we have to these idols, building our lives around them, becoming a slave to them, unable to imagine life without them. 

The first problem with these sources of validation is they are notoriously unstable.  We can lose a job.  Kids can disappoint.  Reputations can be tainted, influence can diminish, and relationships can end.  And if those were the source of our identity, we won’t experience regular grief and sadness—we will feel like we can’t go on living. 

            This identity implosion and psychological despair can lead to suicide or various addictions, even violence toward whoever got between us and our functional savior.  And even though it was this idol that cursed us, we can become quite angry at God. 

            The deceptive nature of this kind of idolatry lies in one’s ability to simultaneously live very moral and even religious lives.  We can attend church, give to the poor, and lead other Christians, all the while thinking, “If only I could achieve this, then I would feel good about myself.  If only I can keep this relationship, then I will truly feel like I matter.”    

In college, my own sense of self-value was attached to academic performance.  Every exam, depending on how I did, could alter my mood for days.  My first B on a semester grade-report made me feel like a failure.  As long as I did well, I felt acceptable.

This is the glory of the gospel.  God will accept you perfectly because Jesus was rejected completely.  No need to seek validation and self-worth in our works and achievements.  When we choose to trust in Christ, we have approval and acceptance from the only One who matters. 

So how well do you know your own heart?  What do you depend on to give meaning to your life?  Whose approval comforts you as long as you have it?  What do you strive to accomplish so you can feel complete?  What is it you feel you have to get, or have to keep in order to feel acceptable?  Is it time for a revival?

            "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." --Matthew 11:28-30