I have seen in church and heard preached that the failings of humanity get stirred up when Jesus draws near. Revival often sparks a deep need to address the problems and failings we easily overlook in more comfortable times. It is not unusual for divisions, rivalries, unrest, unresolved hurts and wounds to surface or resurface at times of revival, intense preaching, or life trials. I have seen the worst show up in me and in others when trials and challenges happen. I’ve also seen the best in changed lives and transformed individuals.

Revival or trial is like the setting of contrast in a camera. A board with white and black stripes is put before the camera to set the contrast. The camera’s settings are best and the clarity of the pictures most assured when the white and black stripes are clear and distinct. We see the contrast in people most clearly when the Lord draws near to a church or a person. The differences between the qualities of God and the qualities of man become increasingly clear and distinct.

Jesus was the revival who totally stirred up the church during His pre-resurrection time. His disciples continued His work during the beginning of the church. Revival and/or human strife pushes the current church and individuals to confront their humanity and need for God.

My preceding blog described how I was hurt and part of the hurting process. I live in a world where I both suffer from the problems and am part of the problem. We humans are individual beings in one place, at one time and never free from needing to put ourselves first in need or preference. We are born with a “me first, me best” bias that chases us through our time on Earth, and that is the dark stripe that contrasts with Jesus.

The stirring of struggle and/or revival can actually be the gift of God to bring each person to a place where they choose to rule their own lives and be the overcomer of their own problems or realize there is a God who has provided for us. Strife and struggle might be the greatest gift because it truly reveals the contrast of individual and corporate limitations of this world compared to the unlimited beauty of a living God.