A Devotional by Eric S. Reamer
Passage: 1 Timothy 4:12
Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
The Next Revival
Here in the United States, much attention has been placed upon a particular group of teens, and the great majority of that attention has a very negative association with it. I am speaking of Columbine High School, and the students that made international headlines when, last Spring, two of their own chose to wage a murder-suicide campaign on campus one morning.
Columbine High is not too far away from where I live, and I am good friends with several of the local pastors that have very close ties to many of the young people - including both the students who were killed or injured, as well as those who simply attend that school.
From the time of the shootings, as I mentioned above, Columbine High has been under the microscope of scrutiny from the media, and thus, from us all. We have seen report after report discussing the "whys", and "hows" of the attack, and to be honest, the students at Columbine are tired of the media continually drudging up the past, and by so doing, not allowing the necessary closure to take place.
Well, this weekend, the students at Columbine High School made national news, once again! And this time, it was on their terms - and for a positive reason. You see, the Columbine High football team just took the State 5A Championship, and with it - they took back their pride, and the honor that becomes this incredible group of young people.
God is doing mighty things at Columbine High! Through the tragedy that took place last Spring, many of the young people have turned their hearts toward Him, and sought Him out for the answers to some of life's toughest questions.
And the Lord has placed many strong Christian leaders - both teens and adults - in, and among the students and faculty of the school. Many prayer groups have sprung up out of the tragedy, and the area youth groups are reporting record attendance, and perhaps far more important, record numbers of kids turning their hearts toward Christ.
Tragedy often spawns deep contemplation, which in turn often spawns considered decisions. Such seems to definitely be the case at Columbine High School, and we're seeing the wave of revival begin to spread - with one of the epicenters located in Littleton, Colorado.
Think about revival for a moment - the very definition of the word indicates the "re-ignition" of the spark, or in this case, flame, of a passionate (and active) love for the things of the Lord. In an earlier devotion, I wrote that revival starts with one person - me (or you). It doesn't have to be under a tent, with an evangelist thumping his Bible, and the people being worked into a frenzy. No, revival can, and many times does, develop out of even some of the worst tragedies we have ever faced, and surely - the attack on Columbine High School would qualify.
What about you? Have you faced your own tragedies in life? Oh, perhaps no one has come to you school and shot you or your friends... (or maybe thay have)... but have you faced times that seem unbearable? Have you ever seriously considered the possibility that death might be preferable to the thought of living through your hardship?
Turn to the Lord... put your faith in Him. Give Him your hurts and your desires, and let Him hold you in His arms of grace. Allow the spark of God's holy fire to light your heart, and then - obediently, lead the way to revival where you live! Not you, but God through you! To Him be the glory!
Prayer: Lord, please light the fire of revival in and among our youth. Help us to turn toward you for all of our needs, and to recognize your Lordship over our lives. Please forgive us of our wrongdoing, and turn us back to your Word. Create in us a desire to hunger and thirst after your righteousness, and we stand upon the promise of your Word that we will be filled! This we pray, in Jesus' name, amen!
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Eric Reamer is an evangelist, and full time Christian Illusionist. If you enjoy this devotional, please e-mail Eric at: Eric@IllustratedIllusions.com.
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