I recently listened to George Otis Jr., of the Transformation videos fame. He was addressing the common factors that were the reality on the ground, for those people in the cities where city wide and regional spiritual transformation took place. Otis addressed two important factors, one, desperation, and two, expectation.
Otis went on to explain that the results speak for themselves, that when people abandon themselves to God and search their own hearts and do so relentlessly that nothing else mattered, that in every case, there has been a breakout of the Kingdom of God in that city or region. These people took God at His word, and sought His face continually, and repented of things as these things were revealed to them, they sought forgiveness not only from God, but from others, and relationships were restored and reestablished which in turn cleared the way for God to build His Kingdom.
They dealt with issues of the heart, relationship issues, and all things that God revealed and exposed. In most cases this lasted 18 months. Then they fasted for two weeks expecting God to breakthrough in their community, which He did, in every case.
This is holy desperation combined with expectation. A covenant keeping God has decreed our obligations, and His responsibilities. He honours those who honour Him. When we honour God and do the right things the right way, He does not withhold Himself from us. This is what takes place across the board, no matter what kind of church, no matter what the credal statements are, no matter who the leaders are. When people get so fed up with the status quo, and come to God on God’s terms, He delivers His people. This is what it will take for the twin cities to truly experience spiritual transformation. It will take a united cry from the people who are so desperate for God and who will do whatever it takes for God to move into their city and transform every sector of daily life.
I am left with one nagging question, and it is for all of us, myself included.
Are well willing to pay the price, and how desperate are we anyway?