Burn

Every man gives his life for what he believes and every woman gives her life for what she believes. Sometimes people believe in little or nothing. One life is all we have; we live it and its gone. But...to live without belief is more terrible than dying, even more terrible than dying young."--Joan of Arc as she was being led to the stake.

We will give our lives for something--it may be for the Kingdom of God or it may be for trifles, but we will give our lives for something.

What do you burn for?

The solemnity of revival

In his classic book on revival, In the Day of Thy Power, Arthur Wallis says:

It is a deeply solemn matter to seek God's face for revival, for He may deal with me as He does not deal with others.

I'm reminded of a Biblical passage that says something to the effect that from whom much has been given much will be required.

It is often said there is a price to be paid for revival. I am sure part of the price is that revived people--those who have truly been touched by the power of the Holy Spirit in that sovereign event called revival find themselves living at a different standard. Comfortable mediocrity, or complacency must fall off and new passion and purity and power must come in.

Sins once thought insignificant increase in felt significance. God deepens a process of searching and trying and purifying. Awareness of His presence and holiness and power and purity increases, while awareness of our need and desperation also increases.

There is surely joy in all this--but I suspect a life--once touched by the power of God, will be forever spoiled for the ordinary.

So, Lord, spoil me for the ordinary.