Chris, Len and I spent about 3 and a half hours today at Hughes Memorial Auditorium on the campus of Asbury University at the revival service which has been happening non-stop since last Wednesday, February 8th. I have many thoughts and feelings about our experience. Probably more than I will be able to share in this message. Frankly, I am still attempting process it all.
It’s getting late and my critical thinking skills are starting to wane. (Some of you may be thinking, “When did Dan get critical thinking skills?”)
Strangely enough, when we first arrived at the service I was having critical thoughts about the speaker on the platform. I was evaluating everything he was saying and, in my mind, disagreeing with him and over-analyzing his remarks. In retrospect, I believe the Evil One was making one last ditch effort and trying to somehow manipulate this into a negative experience.
Fortunately, it did not take long for the Holy Spirit to tame these critical, negative, embarrassing thoughts. I am grateful for His patience and grace.
Soon I began to recognize that the people around me were clearly very earnest and very sincere about wanting to be right with God and wanting to be alive in Christ. God used the beautiful people who were present in the auditorium to gently move me along and get my unhelpful thinking back on track.
Early in our time at the auditorium, during the worship singing, two strong feelings came over me:
One of the feelings was that I wanted all the believers that I know personally to be there in that place with me. If I know you, understand I had a strong desire for you to be with me. I wished we could all experience the time of worshiping God together. I guess, in a way, you could say I was longing for heaven. That’s probably a strange thing to say but that’s the best way I can describe it.
The second feeling was a profound sense of connection with the brothers and sisters in Christ in the auditorium. Other than Chris and Len, every person in that auditorium was someone I had never met before. But I felt connected. I felt like they were my family, in Christ.
It would be fair to describe it as the love of Jesus for my brothers and sisters in Christ.
As the time progressed, one of the thoughts God brought to mind was basic but forceful: any revival that will occur will need to involve me, personally, being spiritually renewed, revitalized and replenished. Again, it’s amazingly basic but a guy, like myself, who talks about revival needs to personally experience spiritual revival.
Sometimes I’m in need of the most rudimentary insights.
There is a long altar across the front of the platform in Hughes auditorium. All throughout the time people were gathered at the altar to pray. I felt impressed to go to the altar and pray. During my time at the altar the service, of course, continued. At one point, while I was on my knees praying, I could hear—almost feel—the 1500+ voices in the auditorium singing a worship song together. I do not even remember the song. But it was powerful, it felt like just a brief moment of heaven, and I was deeply moved.
I remember thinking to myself, “I would like this moment to last. I would like this moment, right now, to just continue for another week, or more.” Did you ever wish that time could stand still for a while so that you could relish what was happening just a bit longer? That’s what I felt.
I did not want to leave.
But, of course, the time came for us to go.
After we left Hughes Auditorium, we stopped on our way to the hotel at Chick-Fil-A to grab a bite. (We’re known for eating incredibly fancy meals.) One of the young women who was part of the worship team at the service came in with a couple of friends and Len, generously, bought their meals.
So they came over to talk and say thanks. Our time of talking turned into a special moment, one of those God moments that cannot be planned. One of those God moments that touch the heart.
Before long, we all huddled together—right there in the dining room of the Chick-Fil-A—and had a time in which several of us prayed. Three young students and three old guys, strangers who had never met before, arms around each other, praying out loud for each other in the middle of a fast food restaurant. (In addition to being loving and gracious, God also has a sense of humor.)
It was a blessing. I believe God knew I was in need of that type of blessing. (We were probably all in need of that type of blessing. God is very good at knowing and meeting those types of needs.)
We will be going back to Hughes Auditorium in the morning. And at some point we will have to get back home tomorrow (Tuesday). This is my report, for now!
I feel like I should tell you that I love you.
So here it is: I love you!
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#AsburyRevival #AsburyUniversity #Revival
#HolySpirit #LoveofJesus
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