For some, this year's winter has worn out its welcome.

Like unexpected family showing up at Christmas, winter seems to be saying it’s taking itself and its weather when it leaves here next month - which is not quite soon enough in my book.

But, if winter is sticking around, I (personally) would rather see snow than rain.

If you’re not a fan of snow, then I must apologize as my analogy may not work for you, but if it’s rain showers vs. snow showers - I will take the white stuff over rain any day.

The problem with snow in the Willamette Valley is that it usually doesn’t stick (if it does, it’s very short lived), and that becomes our focus instead of enjoying a weather phenomenon that we don’t get to see that often.

I witnessed this happening the other day during one of our unexpected March snow showers.

At a downtown coffee shop, three men, advanced in age, were watching the snow fall and chatting about it. Their talk centered around the size of the flakes, the decrease of intensity, the warming air, and how it would be over and done with in a matter of hours.

This rare and beautiful occurrence was of little to no consequence to them because, as I said before, Willamette Valley snow doesn’t usually stick so, why get excited about it?

Plus, if it’s going to dissolve as soon as it hits the ground, does it really count as snow at all?

This has also been my observation of some people’s view of revival. It doesn’t stick and it doesn’t stay, so can you really call it a revival?

Whether you call it a revival, a renewal, a revolution or an awakening, God does seem to move more dramatically and obviously during certain times.

I don’t believe a revival can be forced, but it can be desired and hungered for. It isn’t a discipleship replacement either, but it can certainly be a motivator for it. It can even be the catalyst that rejuvenates a person’s faith.

Because of this, I believe Christians who have been devoted to the way of Jesus for many years should take full advantage of these movements. Instead of being jealous of them they should be jealous for them because, even though revivals fade with time, their results can stick and stay.

Here are some estimates that came from the Jesus movement in the 70’s…

At the height of the revival, through the ministries of Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, California alone:

• 200 were won to Christ each week.

• 500 were baptized every month for a period of two years.

• At the baptism services, crowds of 3,000 would gather and the occasion was used to preach the Gospel, with many more coming to Christ.

• Thousands of churches were planted and still exist today.

Some of our most faithful and committed believers were born again from this movement, and I'm not sure if some of us would even be in church without these believers.

Like winter, many seeds of faith may still be in the ground, lying dormant, waiting for the right moment to emerge. Sometimes the weather changes dramatically and things happen all at once. Other times it's more of a subtle change that unfolds at a slower pace. Either way, each event is to be celebrated and valued.

Like a late snowfall, instead of waiting to see if revival sticks and stays, perhaps we should take a moment to enjoy its beauty, purity and uniqueness.

Blessings,

Dean Yoder