Christian Revival?

A wonderful brother in the Lord and long-time international missionary recently shared some encouraging perspectives on current trends in the United States. I asked James if I could share his comments, and I am reposting his comments here without comment as an encouragement to Christians in the West.

(Comments by Pastor and missionary James Amos)

I have been a Christian for 25 years. I have never thought this before. But I do in fact think a revival is happening in America, right now. I am seeing it with my own eyes. It’s God.

I’m seeing four things happen in an unmistakably noticeable way. The first two are not at all enough, and if they were the main thing, I would not only shrug it off, but maybe even be extra skeptical. But the latter two are the main thing, and they fill my heart with joy.

1. There is no question that there has been a huge bump in attendance at Christian worship services. It seems to me these are largely people who almost never attend church.

2. Regardless of the politics or even potential sincerity of some of those involved, there has been a really unprecedented amount of openly Christian communication in the public and even political sphere. Clear and repeated articulation of Jesus’s authority, finished work, and love. It’s unusually Christocentric for the public sphere. I don’t think I’ve ever seen it happen before like this.

Much more importantly:

3. I am seeing specific believers who are near and dear to me growing, repenting, and having obvious personal spiritual renewal. The kind you pray about over years with no change. (In me too.) Fresh desire for God. Fresh hope to face struggle. Fresh desire for godly action. Fresh freedom from apathy and crippling disappointment.

4. I watched one of the oldest relationships of my life get saved today. I have prayed for him for 25 years, with no real progress that I could see. Suddenly, in the last two weeks, everything changed, and a process kicked off that led to this today. Total, radical action of God in the heart, and in the working of circumstance.

As I talk to others, I get this sense many others are experiencing a similar track recently. I think people are getting saved. I think people are reorienting their lives towards Jesus.

I have no reason to think #3 & #4 are works of the flesh. I see every reason to think they are works of God.
In my life, at least. But my sense is I’m not alone.