The purpose of the Awakening

There is a difference between having experienced an “awakening” and living in it. You might get the impression that awakening is something you have to wait for! Religious goals do not evoke neither rescue nor awakening. More like prestige and performance religion. Awakening is something that is available HERE and NOW through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ who is therefore the purpose in himself for the awakening.
 
When we speak of awakening, I often find that the definition is somewhat unclear, if you are not quite sure of what is meant by awakening. So, do you have awaking in your congregation? You mean those who are recently saved? And how many people does it take before we can define it as awakening?
 
It is easier when we speak about the purpose of the awakening. Awakening is not a word the Bible in itself uses. To understand the word “awakening”, we have to encompass expressions like salvation, renewal, conversion, transformation and to be on fire in spirit.
 
Every one of these expressions entails  “awakening”. If awakening is solely defined as a human being receiving Jesus as his personal saviour and is thereby saved, end of story, it may be the answer as to why so many redeemed people do not live in “the awakening”.
 
Ok, that may sound a bit awkward.
 
Do we understand each other? Awakening is LIFE and is expressed in people’s salvation, rehabilitation and in redemption of favours, in healing, in reconciliation and in transformation of character, yes in everything in which the life and spirit of Christ is revealed and gets to inspire people.
 
The Lord has promised awakening through the service of the Network of Women in Service. But he has also promised many others. Churches, towns, organisations and individuals’ service. Which one will it happen through? Which of the prophecies are real? All of them of course! Awakening is not a competition. God’s Spirit is free and both can and will evoke awakening in both Skagen and Gedser at once, and in different ways. It is not going to come from one side, one city or one service.
 
Awakening comes where God has spoken a word and people act on it in faith. It comes where God has equipped his people with gifts of grace and use them in faith. Everyone who has received salvation has a gift says the scripture. The disciples are probably a testimony that awakening starts with the faith of the individual and the obedience to walk and act on a gift of grace.
 
Awakening, or harvest when it comes to souls, is not something we as Christians can produce in the sense that it is already available! Jesus says: Do you not say, 'Four months more and then the harvest'? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. (John 4:35)
It is God himself who is Lord of the harvest.
 
To me, this says more about disciples, the believers, redeem services (workers) than a prayer for a harvest. Jesus says: The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. (Luke 10:2)
 
Your thoughts are inevitably led to the individual believer’s personal “awakening”, and by this I mean awakening in the sense of a living, personal, fruitful relationship to Jesus Christ.
 
Many are frustrated that they may have faith, but if they have to be honest, they do not suffer for something or somebody. Others would really like to serve, but do not know how or where. You might wish you were more holy, but you can not abide by it.
 
I think it has to do with our priorities and focus. None of us can produce “suffering” for others, because we do not have it in ourselves. We are taught through knowledge that we are supposed to be in distress for those not saved, and we may pray for this, but it is not the same as having the distress in our hearts, and to pray with faith.
 
Faith, holiness and true suffering is ONLY available through Jesus in prayer and in the Word. For it is really HIS suffering and HIS holiness which is to be transmitted to us through the Holy Spirit. There, in fellowship with Jesus, does he share his thoughts, character and feelings which, should we accept them, flow into us so powerful that we transform to the image of Christ and simply overflow by ourselves.
 
He deeply wants our cup to overflow (Psalm 23:5)
 
That we may be filled with him.
 
We do not have to look frantically for a service either. To many of us, develop a stronger relationship to our service than to Jesus himself. This desire is pious and not wrong in itself. However, it must not take priority which is the first and greatest commandment: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' (Matthew 22:37).
 
The priority, or order if you will, must be right.
 
But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. (Luke 12:31).
 
Jesus says: A student is not above his teacher (Matthew 10:24). I also believe this means that you and I do not stand above Jesus, and can find an easier way of God’s power or revelation than Jesus could. Jesus spend a lot of time near his Father and in prayer. We must also do this.

There is a longing and a thirst in my own life after more of Jesus.
More than ever do I experience the need to be in the presence of God. The first meeting with Jesus created a revolution of “awakening” in us – and it was wonderful. We were transformed and saw everything in a new light. Are we still transforming? Or do we have the same opinions and level of insight as 5 years ago? A constant transformation is proof that we live near Jesus. Then we live in the awakening instead of just talking about it. Yes, the awakening IS Jesus.
 
The conference in May with Anne Graham is a good opportunity to get close to the purpose of the awakening – Jesus, and get you first love to him renewed. Please come join us if it all possible.
 
We believe in a fantastic day in his presence which will pave the way for resurrection, renewal and new power for our purpose and future.

By Hanne Dalgaard