Many times we hear, time and time again, about the youth being the next generation of Believer’s to take a stand for Christ. Many times that puts an extreme amount of pressure on a young person to do something about it when they aren’t ready. Only God knows when we are individually ready to become a leader and it is only by His strength that we can do anything. I have been to many youth meetings, camps, conferences, etc and I see, all too often, the grown ups pushing teens to do something about this generation. We are told so many times that we need revival and I think that more often than not, grown ups expect to see revivals like those of our former generations. Some former revivals are described as being intense emotional outbursts, congregations that spontaneously erupt in bold speaking of tongues, and thousands of souls praying the ‘sinners prayer’.  Then there is a small still voice that says, “Revival begins with just one person.” Some spiritual leaders will say that you can be that one person, however I have found that the one person isn’t us at all. The one person is Jesus Christ. Revival begins with Him.

I don’t believe that we possess what it takes to have a revival. I don’t believe that reading my Bible more often, giving more financially, or standing on a street corner preaching the gospel is going to give me a revival. I believe it has everything to do with our Lord, Jesus Christ. If there is anything at all that we are able to ‘do’ to bring revival it would simply be to be humble, yet on our own we can not be truly humble without Christ.

Supposing we have been truly humbled by Christ our Lord, what characteristics would manifest in us to show evidence of a revival?

What does a revival look like?

Does a revival of the youth involve the youth telling the adults how to live the Christian life?

Shall the youth overstep their elders and usurp spiritual authority over them and openly correct their parents or other spiritual leaders?

Has the ‘boldness’ of a courageous generation of youth become a corrupt, arrogant, know-it-all generation or has the generation of youth become more respectful, loving, and patient?

Which is a manifestation is a true revival?

Do we really know what a true revival looks like? When we pray for revival, do we really know what to expect? I feel that if we knew what a revival really is and really looks like, then it can be falsely manufactured by man. If that is so, then what need have we for Jesus in a revival? Perhaps we don’t really know revival.

To be revived is to bring back to life, which means it has previously been in death. It can also be defined as a renewal of interest. If we need a revival, a renewal of interest, that would mean that we lost interest in Christ our Lord. When you are truly in love with someone you don’t just forget them. You don’t fall out of love. For mothers who have lost a child, they will never forget. Their love will never fade. If anything, their hearts grow eager to see them again and those feelings of longing to see and hold their child again only grows and strengthens. That is true love. Would a mother need to have a renewal of interest in her own child?

So, just what would be a revival for a teen? What would be a revival for anyone who believes in Jesus Christ? Is our belief in Him merely a thought or mental acceptance of him or are we truly, madly, deeply in love with Him? Does He permeate every amount of thought we have every day? Do we have an inner longing in our hearts to worship him and hold him? How often do we tell him how wonderful he is? If our longing for him is nothing but just a passing fancy, then perhaps that true intense deep love hasn’t yet taken place. Or perhaps your love has not grown too much, from the initial day of establishing your relationship with Him.

Do you know how much He loves you? Do you know how much He saved you from? Do you know your true freedom in Christ?

Jesus is not just our Savior from eternal judgment. He is not just the provider of our food. Our Lord is not just the supplier of our finances. No, he is so much more than that.

When you feel that all your friends have forsaken you, do you rest in knowing He will never forsake you? When people just don’t understand how you feel, do you awaken each day knowing He understands your innermost feelings? When you feel unworthy to even speak to him, do you realize He is who is responsible for making you worthy?

I believe that revival is a deeper walk with our Lord, that only individuals can experience. A one night ‘revival meeting’ of people who fall on their faces to the ground in repentance, with emotional outbursts is just that…a one time experience. Are we seeking for a one time experience or a long life of deep intense love that carries us through every single day in grace and mercy? Long emotional outbursts don’t occur every day. Sometimes depression can hit and we cry for several days, but never have a release of those feelings. I believe that is condemnation that seeks to destroy us and steal our joy. But a moment of tears, trembling in His presence as we worship Him, that brings about a fulfillment of our souls and a spiritual closeness to our God is productive in our relationship with Him. From that we should have a manifestation of peace, love, joy, long suffering, etc. Those are the fruits of His Spirit in you.

When we have this kind of relationship with Jesus Christ, the enemy is angered. His wrath against us is increased because he hates the One who is in us. Therefore the enemy will begin to hurl his fiery darts at us, but it’s not us he is focused on destroying. He is focused on destroying Jesus in us. A true revival, that deeper walk with our Savior, will undoubtedly bring about trials from the enemy. When we pray for ‘revival’, do we really know what we are asking for? The more of Him that is manifesting in our lives, the more the enemy seeks to blow out that light. But the Light in us is kind of like those special birthday candles that can’t be blown out. It wouldn’t matter how hard you blow those flames, those candles will not be put out. He is the Light in us and He will never leave us nor forsake us, but the attacks will keep coming for the rest of our lives.

Even though the attacks will come there is no need to fear. God only gives us what He knows we can handle. He also gives us times of rest in between battles. Times of rest and encouragement to enjoy our walk with Him. A revival, a true revival, is not a one time occurrence. A revival is an ongoing increasing of our love for Him. There’s more that takes place during that time and the journey is quite an adventure. As with any adventure, there are times of trouble, times of feeling insecure and unsafe, storms, and great victory. Let us not be so focused on an experience called ‘revival’, but rather let us focus on the One who makes revival happen, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Sisterlisa is the owner and Editor-in-Chief of Growing in Grace Magazine and owner of AGMinistries, a devotion blog for women. She is married and homeschools her four children while remaining active in serving the Lord in her community.