My community here in Cairo started almost daily watching the Lakeland Revival live online a few weeks ago and just had to hop planes down there to check it out in person. After five days there I can say that I’m quite taken with what God is doing. The healing testimonies are outrageous, but it’s God’s presence that is such a draw for me. Seth wrote a blogwith some good links and a video from Todd so check that out for more info. Here are some of my thoughts from my time spent with 15,000 desperate and hungry people from around the globe in Lakeland.
I like that God uses everyone—ordinary people like me in powerful ways. I love that it’s not just about the manifestations or the boomba-shoomba, but it’s about HIM. Knowing Him. Walking with Him. It’s the greatest miracle.
So often we miss that. So often it’s lost in the crowd of healings and meetings and even shockingly in our worship. I really noticed a shift in our worship each night as we stopped singing about ourselves (repentant, inward looking, get right with God songs) and began to sing directly to Jesus and sit before His throne-room and pour out our praise. Surely you’ve felt the difference before. Some call it the moment where you truly “enter in.” Todd and his folks call it “the glory.” It’s as though God’s very presence is residing with us as we worship…and He is.
There’s a tangible presence of God that has me hooked. I can’t get enough of it. It’s the kind of worship that makes you weep for no reason, causes you to stop singing, be still, and simply dwell upon His goodness, when you just have to get on your knees and sit in awe of Him knowing that He is worthy of praise.
The worship I’ve been a part of at this revival is some of what I’m talking about…if you actually take the opportunity for it. It’s true, you can get lost in the things going on around you, the people who are a little more, um, exuberant in their expression. If you’re watching, you’re not participating and I had to make that distinction personally many times.
I’d close my eyes and enter into my own little world with Jesus only to open them to see people on stage walking out of wheelchairs. I was almost miffed—what did I miss? Where did that transition of healing come in? I totally missed how we went from worship time to healing time? What’s the deal?!
But then I realize that isn’t how God works. Todd exclaims from the stage, “God is doing a work out in the crowds now. In the midst of our worship His Spirit is touching people and healing them. If you feel heat or electricity you know the Spirit is on you and God is healing you. Let’s keep worshipping. Pray for the people around you now. Let’s keep calling on Jesus. Don’t get distracted.”
And it goes on from there. We sing, we worship, we pray and the lines of people waiting on either side of the stage to give a testimony grow longer and longer. It’s amazing how it all happens with no agenda, no one using cue cards for the TV cameras, no logos or labels. Though it may look contrary on the screen from your home, there’s really not much pomp and circumstance. It’s quite simple really—hungry people are calling out to their God to move on their behalf, He hears them, has compassion and moves to answer. I love that. It reminds me of this verse I know so well:
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 will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14
We’re asking.
He’s answering.
It’s a beautiful thing.
The only issues and controversies I’ve run into are from those who aren’t truly asking or from those who don’t like God’s answer when He gives it.
