An Invitation to the Improbable.
When Jesus tells us to leave things behind and follow Him, amidst a vast array of theological and lifestyle changes, it is also an invitation to join in the excited conversation about revival and improbability. It is a call to adventure, and of necessity, I think this is where God is taking the church at this time. The reason I am writing about this is that I recently had a dream in which I told a Church Leader to “put revival and improbability back into the conversation.”
Chaos and life?
Why would they need to be told that? In the face of difficulty and hard work, we are more than likely all predisposed to opt for the safer choices—after all, who wants unwarranted chaos? We do not have to look too hard in Scripture to find an answer; “Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox” (Proverbs 14:4).
Improbable
You might already have a good understanding and even experience of revival, but “improbable?” Surely that should be “faith?” That would be a fair adjustment, after all, revival is generally accompanied by faith, signs, and wonders. But revival accompanied by the improbable raises the benchmark dramatically. Have you considered how much of a Sunday morning or a normal church meeting is overshadowed by the probable? When God moves among His people, it is not generally in the everyday way, doing what generally happens… instead, it is marked by that sense of improbability. It’s about the works of God that leave you speechless, where you would never have guessed and where everyone is left in wonder thinking, “I never saw that coming!”
Improbability is God’s work; you cannot prepare for it, as it will always catch you by surprise. The idea of expecting the unexpected is already preposterous, and expecting the improbable even more so – but you can ‘anticipate’ it. God always has the capacity to move in an unprecedented way. I believe there is something relational here; it is the mindfulness that no matter what you face – the circumstances, the challenges, the need, or the intervention, be it healing, financial, societal, or otherwise – all things are possible with God. The improbable is the place where the One who spoke a word and created the world ex nihilo causes His people to nearly faint in absolute astonishment, wonder, and amazement.
All things are possible
We want to make room for God to display His power in the most extraordinary ways, affirming with the Apostle Paul that “God is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20). Our response to God should be to advance with hope, boldness, and a heart open to the full spectrum of God’s miraculous possibilities.
In Scripture, we see a couple of improbable events that also have an element of revival about them: The Valley of Dry Bones (Ezekiel 37:1-14) In Ezekiel 37, the prophet is brought by the Holy Spirit to a valley filled with dry bones, symbolising the desolation and hopelessness of Israel in exile. God commands Ezekiel to prophesy over these bones, saying, “I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life.” Against all odds, the bones reassemble, flesh grows, and breath enters them—they stand as a vast army. It’s a remarkable vision that illustrates God’s power not only to revive but to transform utter desolation into vibrant life.
The Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-47) The early followers of Jesus were a small, often frightened group, lacking in influence and numbers. Yet, on the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descended on them powerfully, leading to the speaking of various tongues, bold preaching by Peter, and the conversion of about three thousand souls in a single day. This event was improbable by human standards, demonstrating that God’s spirit moves in unexpected and powerful ways, igniting revival that can transform history.
The Spirit is at work
Note the activity of the Holy Spirit in both instances – it’s the work of the Spirit in our hearts and lives that has Lordship authority and power to bring these things about. You’ll probably have a good time of worship with probably some good, meaningful contributions by way of the gifts of the Spirit. You’ll maybe pray for the sick and probably you’ll have the same outcomes as you normally do – but what if something improbable happened. Something that nobody would have guessed? Something so awesome that people would have probably arrived earlier, responded quicker, engaged more enthusiastically had they known? Now we’re talking.
In my dream, I told the Elder to put Revival and Improbability back into the conversation. I referred to ‘back into the conversation’ because they already had a conversation going that was pleasing to the Lord – they are missional and apostolic but God is adding something to the mix.
Probably because He is about to do something awesome and very improbable in the midst of the Church.
That probably could be true for you.
