It passed without fanfare.
Overshadowed by Halloween. Or movie star scandals. Political scandals. Or—if I’m being honest—the release of Stranger Things 2.
One of the greatest moments in history happened 500 years ago last October 31st.
The anniversary of the Reformation.
It was a seismic moment in Church history. The German monk Martin Luther nailed (or so it’s told) his Ninety-five Theses on the door of the All Saints’ Church in Wittenberg, and set a church-shifting movement in motion.
It was one moment, personified by one person, that shifted the course of history as we know it. A moment where the established power was blindsided by a revolution and revival of what it means to follow Jesus.
But celebration of the reformation is not a celebration of division. It’s not a celebration of sticking it to the man.
Celebrating the Reformation is a celebration of God’s faithfulness to his church. It’s a celebration of the faithfulness of God, to course-correct our movement from time to time.
And it’s a celebration of the fact that he is going to do it again.
There is a great anticipation in the air. Can you feel it? An anticipation of something new, beautiful and powerful happening in the church.
This year I had the privilege of meeting thousands of pastors across the country. I shook many hands. Heard many stories. Prayed for many leaders. And city after city, state after state I heard pastors say the same thing. A common thread that ran from Chicago to LA. Denver to Orlando.
Pastors would say, “There is just something so unique happening in our city. There is a resurgence of passion in young people for Jesus and a call for unity unlike any other time I’ve ever seen.”
But this isn’t unique at all! It’s happening all over the country. All over the world. Right. Now. A grand awakening of God’s people and the dawn of a new power and passion in the church.
It won’t be found in the news. Or on Capital Hill. It will be found in the everyday of local church. The everyday miracle of following Jesus in your unique sphere of influence. In your church. In your work. In your family.
..Forget about what’s happened;
don’t keep going over old history.
Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new.
It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it?
There it is! I’m making a road through the desert,
rivers in the badlands.
Wild animals will say ‘Thank you!’
—the coyotes and the buzzards—
Because I provided water in the desert,
rivers through the sun-baked earth,
Drinking water for the people I chose,
the people I made especially for myself,
a people custom-made to praise me.—Isaiah 43 MSG
Many in the church have been praying for revival, but could it be that it’s already begun?
500 years ago, people had no idea they were in the middle of a revolution in the church, but may we—500 years later—open our eyes to the amazing resurgence beginning in the church. The beautiful awakening of the bride of Christ that will shift the entire course of history.
It’s happening now. Can you feel it?
What are some things that encourage you about the course of the church in your corner of the world? What shifts do you see coming?
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