Revive: to become active or flourishing again (acc. to the Merriam-Webster dictionary)
It has been beautiful lately in Southwest Michigan. The sky is a bright blue, the sun is shining happily, and it is unseasonably warm. These early spring days, the ones when I can feel the warmth of the sun on my skin, do my heart good. They signal the changing of the season. Winter is finally giving way to spring. Winter can be hard with its cold, dark, short, overcast days. On the other hand, spring is full of life and hope. Those things that have been sleeping are revived in the springtime.
In addition to the change of the physical season, there is also a change in the church season. Lent is upon us. For those unfamiliar with Lent, it is the forty days between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday. It is a time of fasting, simplification, and personal reflection, in preparation to celebrate what Jesus did for us on the cross. We give God time during Lent to prune back areas that are not producing fruit in order to encourage new life to grow. Lent allows us to create space in our lives to be revived. What was once dead is now alive in Christ. Jesus died so that our sins could be forgiven. Hebrews 9:12 says, “With his own blood—not the blood of goats and calves—he entered the Most Holy Place once for all time and secured our redemption forever.” Lent is a season of hope.
This past Sunday (February 12), Pastor Bill mentioned revival being in the air. A season of corporate revival is an opportunity for our spirits to flourish again. Some of us at New Day have been in a difficult winter season. Some may be just entering such a time. Don’t lose heart. Spring is coming! There is new life available to all (see 2 Corinthians 5:17). Revival is within reach for those who want it. There is hope!
Romans 15:13 (NLT): “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.”
***If you find yourself in a difficult season and need support, please feel free to reach out to anyone on the pastoral team. We are here for you.