Reflections on Revival and Agenda

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No doubt you have heard about the recent events at Asbury Seminary in what some have termed a modern-day revival. I watched a little of it on-line the other night. A young female student talked about how it originated with a chapel service which seemed typical but has yet to end.

Some students and faculty report feeling unsure about what is happening, yet they report having a sense that God is doing something special.

The thing that struck me about the whole thing was how the leadership in the chapel and scheduled classes right afterward responded. Simply stated, they didn’t stop it.

Something special started small and subtlety. Students just didn’t leave.  It would seem natural for faculty to move on to the next scheduled classes and events of the day. Instead, they left space: space for something different, something unexpected to take place.

I thought about my own issues with control. (I have previously written about my realization that God needs me to let go in order for Him to do what He wants at our counseling center.  I realized that I was in the way.)

I think it is natural, even desirable, for leaders to revisit mission and vision, reset strategy and plans towards set goals and to organize agendas and calendars. It’s good stewardship and a way for us to ‘redeem the time’.

But as I listened to the young lady speak, I started pondering a question: are there times where God may want to speak or do something, even in my day-to-day life and work, but I am so focused on my regular agenda that I just miss it? Perhaps I simply fail to expect him to intervene, to speak in the counseling room or elsewhere.

 I started wondering how many times does God start doing something, even something small and we just continue on with the regularly scheduled events. What types of things might God do if we simply expected more or gave space?

My reaction listening to this student speak about how the Asbury event started? I was amazed that leadership made space. I pondered ways I may sometimes interfere with God’s plans. Nothing scientific here today. Just my personal musings.

Would love to hear your thoughts!

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