Lord, Help Me Not to be Cynical

Posted on February 20, 2023 by Elizabeth Welte in Freedom Fighters

I have been involved in ministry for at least five decades. I have seen God do so many amazing things, especially during my twenty-five years at America’s Keswick. I say all the time that the ministry of America’s Keswick makes no sense apart from God and that the ministry is only explainable by God.

One of the things that I have to continue to fight against is not being cynical. I’ve seen some really crazy things in my lifetime that has caused me to question things that happen and is this really for real?

So where am I heading with this thought this morning? I hope you are following what has been taking place on the campus of Asbury University. It is not just happening on that campus, but it appears to be happening on campuses across the country.

Christian leaders across the country, and I would assume across the globe, are watching this unfold and wondering if this truly is a revival taking place right before our eyes.

Some have been quick to say right from the outset – it can’t be. It’s all a hoax and a show. One friend of mine said, “It can’t be revival – that’s a Methodist School.”

Isn’t it interesting that thousands of people have been praying for revival in our nation and now that it could possibly be starting, all of a sudden, we get cynical?

Years ago, I came to the conclusion that when God wants to show up, He can do it whenever He wants, however, He wants, and there is nothing I can do to stop it. We try to put God in a box and that just isn’t possible.

Bill Elliff leads a ministry that has studied revivals and in addition to being a pastor, is the Pastor/Church Director for OneCry! A Nationwide Call for Spiritual Awakening.

This week he actually went to Asbury and provided this insight:

1. This is real. God is very present.
2. Several hundred gathered in the morning hours, but the crowd filled every seat by the afternoon in the 1500-seat auditorium.
3. Since Wilmore is almost exclusively a college town with very little else, the crowd is primarily students, although many, like myself, are coming in to see what God is doing.
4. Students from many other colleges are here, having traveled from across the country. The leaders at Asbury are very aware of this, even commissioning them at one point today to go back and cry out for revival on their campus.
5. Worship is glorious, unified, and simple. A piano and guitar, led by various student teams who understand that worship is not performance.
6. The altar is almost always full. Wonderful prayer counselors from Asbury are helping them.
7. There are wise leaders from the University who are helping shepherd the moment. I’m sure they have learned from the past movements how to steward this best.
8. It is not weird. Everything is extremely orderly but vibrant, spontaneous, and powerful.
9. In some ways, it is a worship-based, Spirit-led, Scripture-fed prayer gathering (to copy Daniel Henderson’s term). It is just what we should be doing all the time: waiting before God, worshiping Him, praying to Him, listening to Him, responding to Him, and being shepherded by wise leaders who see themselves merely as facilitators of God’s activity. (The Holy Spirit is a very good leader, by the way. Far better than mere men.)
10. When the microphones were opened for testimonies, there were long lines of grateful people telling what God has done in the last 72 hours. Healing—both emotional, spiritual, and physical has happened in glorious ways. Very real and profound things are occurring quickly in hundreds of lives.
11. Within the first hour, I had moved from a spectator to a humble participant.
12. The unity and worship are heavenly. No pretense, pride, or show. No manipulation. You don’t want to leave.
13. The Scripture was read this afternoon for a long time by multiple people, washing over the congregation. After each Scripture, the response was, “The Word of God, and we believe it!”
14. People seem to be moved by Christ deeply, not merely by emotion, although emotions are present. (How could we not be emotional if God is in the room in power and lives are being transformed?)

The bottom line is we will see. I’m praying that it is the real thing. Just think what COULD happen in our country. Rather than being cynical, I will pray that God will flame the fan of revival.

Anchored to the Rock,

Bill Welte/President/CEO
America’s Keswick

Bill would love to hear from you: bwelte@americaskeswick.org

 

Written by Bill Welte: President/CEO of America’s Keswick: Bill has been married to his childhood sweetheart for 40+ years and has four married kids and 12 amazing grandkids. He loves music and is an avid reader.

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This Week’s Verse to Memorize: “I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever; With my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness to all generations. For I have said, ‘Mercy shall be built up forever; Your faithfulness You shall establish in the very heavens.’” Psalm 89:1-2