From Bill Johnson’s “When Heaven Invades Earth”…
Chapter 17: This Present Revival
Because many fear excess, mediocrity is embraced as balance. Such fear makes complacency a virtue. And it’s fear of excess that has made those that are resistant to change appear noble minded. Excess has never brought an end to revival. William DeArteaga states, “The Great Awakening was not quenched because of it’s extremists. It was quenched because of the condemnation of its opponents.” He also says, “Divisions occur whenever the intellect is enthroned as the measure of spirituality - not because spiritual gifts are exercised, as many charge.” I pay no attention to the warnings of possible excess from those who are satisfied with lack.
This generation is a generation of risk takers. And not all the risks taken will be seen as real faith. Some will come to light as steps of foolishness and presumption. But they must be taken just the same. How else can we learn? Make room for risk takers in your life that don’t bat a thousand. They will inspire you to the greatness available in serving a Great God.
The local steelhead fishermen say, “if you don’t get your rig snagged on the bottom of the river now and then you’re not fishing deep enough.” While I don’t want to honor presumption and error, I do want to applaud passion and effort. Our obsession with perfection has given place to some of our greatest blemishes. When I taught my sons to ride a bike I took them to the park where there was lots of grass. Why? Because I wanted them not to get hurt when they fell. It was not a question of if. The addiction to perfection has given place to a religious spirit. People who refuse to step out and be used by God become the critics of those who do. Risk takers, the ones who thrill the heart of God, become targets of those who never fail because they seldom try.
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