Silent Revival

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives
and the regaining of sight to the blind,
to set free those who are oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. (Luke 4:18, 19)

“Four of my children died before the age of five.” Tandiwe’s African head sank in grief. She cast a nervous glance over her shoulder at the pudgy infant tied to her back. 

“Will she be next? Is God punishing me? Do you think a witch has done this?” A cesspool of bitter questions boiled from a stricken heart.

Most missionary newsletters focus on accomplishments—one hundred converts baptized, ribbon cut on the new building, discovery of a tribe that never heard of Jesus. Yes, God is at work in the spectacular, but he pours his heart into the pathetic. The content of God’s newsletter would be about the silent revival in confused, hurting souls.

I laid a hand on Tandiwe’s head, then listened for the Lord to show us how to minister. God’s word for the young mother came out of Romans, chapter eight. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor heavenly rulers, nor things that are present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

“Don’t misinterpret the deaths,” I said. “God has not abandoned you. No witch or demon can touch the souls of your babies.”

Tandiwe didn’t move. What we saw next was subtle. With those few words spoken, something happened in the deepest part of Tandiwe. She looked us in the eyes and lifted her shoulders. We witnessed a sacred moment as the silent revival resurrected another life.

This is the business God is about, all around us every day. If we’ll only tap into God’s silent revival, the power of a spiritual tsunami is available.