Recently my son and I have ventured in to fishing. I have to admit fishing has never really been of any interest as I am not very patient. I know what you’re thinking; all dad’s have to love fishing. Okay, so now I am making up for it. We went and purchased our fishing license and started on this new adventure. We have had a canoe and kayaks but now we fish from them. I have had to learn that fishing is about just getting out there and relaxing. Once you come to terms with the fact that fishing looks different than what you see on Fishing shows it is very relaxing. The word “fishing” in Greek means liar (kidding). For example, we buy lures that say they will catch certain types of fish. The truth of the matter is at one time maybe this lure caught a fish but not always. To save time we started going out on the pond here in Strathroy, which is part of the Sydenham River. Not to be judgemental but I have always felt this pond was a little south of disgusting. We have talked to people and they say (maybe more lies) there is fish in there. Our kayaks are set up for fishing now, my son more so than mine. I have a rod holder on mine but he has turned his sea kayak into a fishing kayak with GPS, fish finder etc. Now you can see the fish you are not going to catch. Actually not true as he caught 5 really nice sized fish in the last three weeks and me one. (not a lie with pictures on Facebook to prove it) So we go out in the evening a few weeks ago and the pond is kind of gross with its dirty water, fallen trees, goose poop etc., but at the same time it was so peaceful. As we came out of the little inlet, I looked up to see a large bald eagle flying the length of the pond. What a majestic sight that was. You also see blue herons, ducks and geese by the hundreds and one of my favourite birds, the Kingfisher. Not only is there the beauty of these birds, the sun was going down and this ugly pond turned into a thing of beauty and peace.
I say this because we live in a town that has some very disgusting sin, and people who are broken, filled with hurt, despair, emptiness, fear and addictions etc. The demonic is ever present working to tear this community down. No matter what town you live in you will find the same people wondering about looking for truth. The good news is we the church of Jesus Christ(those who live by the word of God) are here in this community and we have good news for the hopeless. But the truth of the matter is the church is not making an impact on our community, especially when you think of the few people attending church compared to the size of the community. Not just around here but churches are closing and are ineffective in proclaiming the gospel. There is a hunger here in Strathroy but unfortunately it is not directed at true spirituality. I read an article recently that talked about Mind Body and Spirit as it relates to Kundalini Yoga (deadly stuff from a Christian point of view). This shows that right here in Strathroy there is a hunger to be whole. But the answer does not come from a serpent coiled up at your spine. We have the true answer to wholeness but we need an outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
In spite of the ugliness around us God wants to present himself to this community but it starts with us the church once again following the word of God. Community events hosted by the church are not going to win the community. A return to the gospel will. In our town the best start would be for the churches to get back on track. The first step is to admit we are in trouble and desperately need God. That will be hard to admit for most. As 2 Chronicles 7:13 states “When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, 14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” Our area has been devastated spiritually. Our church will continue to pray for revival because once the church gets on track, winning the lost flows from it.
I leave you with a few quotes from people who knew revival was the answer.
“Revival is the time when cold Christians are restored to their first love for Christ, when sham and hypocrisy are exposed, when bitterness and strife which exist in the Body of Christ are revealed and repented of under the pressure of the Holy Spirit’s convicting power, a time when such changes are effected in the lives of Christians that sinners are brought to Christ in great numbers.” - Harold Voekel
“A revival is the renewal of the first love of Christians resulting in the awakening and conversion of sinners to God. It presupposes that the church has sunk down into the backslidden state, and a revival consists in the return of a church from her backsliding, and in the conversion of sinners.” - Charles G. Finney
“Revival is the sovereign work of God to awaken His people with fresh intensity to the truth and glory of God, the ugliness of sin, the horror of hell, the preciousness of Christ’s atoning work, the wonder of salvation by grace through faith, the urgency of holiness and witness, and the sweetness of worship with God’s people.” - John Piper
“This nation cannot be saved unless the Church is first revived. Renewing the Church is the key to saving America.” - Chuck Colson
Even though this town may have some similarities to the pond, God is here and waits for us to call on Him. Pray for revival where you are and expect the immeasurable.
