Humility – The Rich Soil for Revival

Humility-that would be the best word to describe the Souly Business retreat I recently attended. From the time my friend Henry and I pulled up in his truck to the moment we left humility permeated the atmosphere. There were the guys who picked up our bags and carried them to the bunkhouse and those who waited on our tables, which overflowed with a continuous stream of food and beverages, and the great group of burly men who cooked the most amazing meals. All these guys volunteered to come, paid the full price of the retreat and served with heartfelt joy!

This humility also was evident in the speakers who shared during the weekend. There were no rock star presenters, no famous pastors; just ordinary men who humbly shared the transforming power of the Holy Spirit at work in their needy hearts. Usually when a group of men get together there is the insecurity dance that we do making sure our resumes are properly portrayed and tight to keep us ahead of the competition, but not here, not this weekend, titles and trophies didn’t seem to matter much. The spirit of humility once again permeated as corporate executives sat next to ex-cons and homeless men interacted with business owners. The Holy Spirit plowed hardened hearts and broke them apart, pretense gave way to transparency and the deep need for the presence of God.

This weekend reminded me so much of what revival is all about. Revival is bringing the people in the church back to life and it always begins with the spirit of brokenness and humility. 2 Chronicles 7:14 is a great revival text and says it best!

If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray, seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

I know of no revival in Biblical times or church history that wasn’t birthed out of the soil of brokenness. Where people in the church see the reality of their empty heart and are in desperate need of healing from heaven. Our pride has dammed up the River of the Holy Spirit, our self made plans, programs, and religious pretense has pushed His glory cloud out of the tabernacles of our heart. But oh how willing He is to return when we shout out in humility our need for Him as I experienced that weekend.

In 1904 the great Welsh Revival broke out which spread all over the world. But what made the atmosphere fertile for revival was the prayer of a young man named Evan Roberts. It was recorded that he was often heard praying: BEND US, LORD. BEND THE CHURCH, AND SAVE THE WORLD!” May this be our humble prayer once again to bend and break our hearts with the spirit of humility so that we can be ready to Host the Holy Spirit.