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Do I Really Want Jesus To Show Up?
Jon Burgess“But who will be able to endure it when he comes? Who will be able to stand and face him when he appears? For he will be like a blazing fire that refines metal, or like a strong soap that bleaches clothes. He will sit like a refiner of silver, burning away the dross. He will purify the Levites, refining them like gold and silver, so that they may once again offer acceptable sacrifices to the Lord.” Malachi 3:2-3
When God shows up He cleans house. When God shows up He removes the impurities that we put up with. When God shows up He reveals blind spots, biases, prejudices, and places we've been resisting Him. Just like a Dentist with a cavity, a Doctor with a tumor, a Counselor with a childhood trauma our God is here to heal, but it's going to hurt. Our God is here to purify, but it's going to be painful. "Who will be able to endure it when he comes?" the prophet asks. The truth is that if it's not a quick and convenient process we will put it off or skip it all together. When we invite God to come to we really know what we are asking for?
Yesterday during worship time at New Hope Oahu I was singing my heart out to the Lord and really enjoying it. I sang out these words, "All I want is You, Jesus". Then, unexpectedly I heard his voice ask my heart loud and clear, "Are you sure? Are you sure I'm all you want?" It stopped me in my tracks. I was puzzled by the question. All throughout scripture whenever God asks a question two things are always true: He already knows the answer and He's inviting us to discover the truth with Him. I began to wonder what other things I've been wanting: the empty praises of man, the false security of wealth, the hallow thrill of success? Sure, any of those temptations can come in many forms over and over again. This morning's reading, however, revealed what He was asking. Do I really want Jesus to come? When He does He flips tables, He calls out falsehoods, He fractures traditions. When Jesus shows up He never leaves things the way they are. The truth is that we like it the way we have it. We have our systems and they are comfy and cozy even if they are far from what Christ has called us to. We simply aren't desperate enough to actually want Jesus to show up. Leonard Ravenhill put it this way, "The only reason we don't have revival is because we are willing to live without it." Ouch!
Lord, forgive me for singing the words but not meaning the words. Forgive me for finding ways to assuage my conscience with excuses rather welcoming you to purify it. I don't want to be fine with business as usual. I don't want to be ok with mixtures in the message of faith. Over these next two weeks I invite You to reveal areas in me that have been shut off to You. Revival is the only way through this and You are the only way to revival.
