Revival?

“I am not afraid that the people called Methodists should ever cease to exist either in Europe or America. But I am afraid lest they should only exist as a dead sect, having the form of religion without the power. And this undoubtedly will be the case unless they hold fast both the doctrine, spirit, and discipline with which they first set out.” – John Wesley

It seems we’ve lost our way. As I sit to write this morning, I’m overwhelmed by emotions and thoughts. My mind races and my heart hurts. This year has been one of the wildest years in a long time – if ever. A global pandemic has captured the attention of the entire world and hundreds of thousands have died. For the most part, the world has cooperated in ending this unexpected virus; while a few have turned it into political games. 

Arguments abound about how to handle such a crisis. Opinions, which we are never in short supply, are as diverse as possible. Shutting down, returning, personal protection equipment, social distancing, and hand sanitizers continue to be on the top of everyone’s mind. We disagree as to the extent of the disease and how it is to be treated (and both claim that science supports their findings over the others). Conspiracy theories are plentiful and we smirk and dismiss anyone who thinks things differently than we. 

Add to this historic crisis, a new wrinkle. I say new, but it really is far from new – it is old, very old. Since the unjust and criminal death of George Floyd, a rage has spread and burst into our cities across the nation. Systemic injustice deserves rage. Racism is a blight on our country and a curse upon humanity. But so too is the rage that swelters under the surface and volcanically erupts wounding and hurting even more. 

As I read the news and see the pictures from across our nation, I find myself so very saddened by it all. I want something to do. I want cruelty and suspicion to be a bad nightmare that we can wake up from and choose to move past. I want those who have felt targeted to feel as safe as I do walking my streets. But I want all these things to happen in a way that is more than just a short burst of anger. Again, I understand the rage, but the actions of that rage are also deeply troubling. 

I realize that this is a dangerous territory to step into. I know I’m tiptoeing on thin ice for a lot of people. I also know that my voice may just be another in a long line of loud voices, which is why I hesitate. I don’t want to say the same things. I don’t want the same sound bites. I want something more. I want something different. I want something that might actually help us change. 

What I want is what is often called for or cried out for in the church. I want what we saw in previous generations – outpourings of God’s Spirit and healing and wholeness and reconciliation being offered. I want the old word “revival” to have a new expression. I want a renewal to occur and hearts healed of the undertow of rage that bubbles. Then I want a new dawn of justice to rise and hope to consume God’s people again. 

I want these things but, if I’m honest, I don’t know if we will see it right now. And that is not just me be cynical – it’s me trying to understand what it takes for those things to happen. It’s me realizing that every time God overflows into God’s people it started with humble and repentant hearts, and I’m not sure the church is currently capable of that right now. 

Well, now that I’ve stepped from thin ice to deep waters, I might as well explain. I think we have a real problem in our church – a being “right” problem. It keeps us from repentance. It keeps us from seeing that our hands have led to the sickness. It keeps us from listening and instead invites non-stop talking. Conservatives and Progressives alike have the issue. We lock-in and cannot see beyond our own religiosity, and in doing so we do something that must break the heart of God. 

When we are more right than righteous the easy thing for us to do is to demonize those who disagree with our way. It’s an old trick that even the Pharisees used against Jesus (“he’s in leagues with Beelzebub”). Jesus invited those who disagreed with him to the table. He asked questions. He invited transformation. He certainly challenged, but the Son of God probably has that prerogative. 

I am not the sinless Messiah. So my challenge had better be tempered by a deep humility. My disagreements had better come from a place of learning rather than telling. And yes, I know Jesus turned over the tables – but is that really the same thing as a protest? His righteous anger can’t be whitewashed but it can’t be conscripted to condone our unrighteous rage either. 

Defining this challenge is very important – it is not their problem. It is not a “them” issue. This is “our problem.” This is something that all colors need to see as a unique challenge that can be and needs to be dealt with. But in order to do this work, it will require more than speaking and shouting. It will require listening and learning. It will require the hard work of repentance and reconciliation. It will require being humble and it will require everyone willing to be wrong on some points. It will require a break in our pride and our monstrous appetite for winning. 

The author of Chronicles shows us God’s way of walking through pandemic and systemic challenges. God says to God’s stubborn and wayward children:

“if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

The time for seeking God’s outpouring and revival begins with our choice to stop being right and start being righteous – being holy as our heavenly Father is holy (1 Peter). It’s a pretty simple movement – humble, pray, seek, and turn – and, yet, as simple as it is we’re still far from it? 

The quote I opened with is from an article written by the founder of the Methodist movement, John Wesley. It was Wesley’s Methodists that sparked revivals in Europe and America. It quelled deadly revolutions for the sake of peaceful conversations. It invited the weary and world-worn to a new way of life and created a middle-class. But Wesley’s concern wasn’t that the movement would die out but that it would become a powerless shell of a movement. His concern was that we would become captivated by our dogma and discipline over the presence of the Holy One in our midst. His concern was self-rightness over a holy righteousness governed by the Spirit. 

I don’t like being wrong. I was raised with an understanding that I was to research and have my point and then hold it until proven wrong. But I also don’t want God’s world to continue to bubble over and rage all over itself. I want more and I’m willing to be wrong for the sake of something more. I wonder who else would join me?

God help us see that even in this pain,

we might find some hope for a tomorrow. 

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