The Great Awakening

I enjoy going to the JEM Movie Theatre in Harmony.  The people who run the theater are always so friendly, caring and welcoming … and the popcorn is delicious!  (Be sure to bring your own container to put it in for extra savings.) Recently, I enjoyed the film “A Great Awakening.”  The film depicts the story of the history of the early days of the United States and features dynamic leaders of the era.  Some of the prominent figures in the movie are Rev. George Whitefield, Rev. John Wesley, Rev. Charles Wesley and Benjamin Franklin.

The movie lifts up important themes that were influential in the early American Revolution.  Rev. Whitefield is depicted as a powerful preacher who uses his faith, oratorical ability and commitment to bring about abiding change.  Whitefield along with his companions,  the Wesley brothers, were instrumental in guiding a spiritual revival in America.  Through the Great Awakening, important ideas begin to take root.  Ideas such as:  liberty, personal freedom, spiritual vitality, honesty, integrity, virtue and a deep faith in God in Jesus Christ.

Whitefield and the Wesley brothers are key leaders in the spiritual renewal which is known as The Great Awakening from which the Methodist Church and the evangelical movement were born.

In the course of the movie, I became increasingly aware of our modern need for Spiritual Renewal – less emphasis on the ways of the world and greater  emphasis on the ways of God.  I sat in the movie theater reflecting on my own faith and how much Jesus means to me.  I am not the dynamic, powerful and charismatic preacher like Whitefield or Wesley, but I am deeply committed to living and sharing the Good News of Jesus. I’m just a common, ordinary guy who seeks to follow Jesus in the ways I live …

Tears came down my face in the JEM Theatre that night when these powerful words and melodies filled the room … “Love divine, all loves  excelling, joy of heaven to earth come down; fix in us thy humble dwelling; all thy faithful mercies crown!  Jesus, thou art all compassion, pure unbounded love thou art;  visit us with thy salvation, enter every trembling heart.” (Love Divine, All Loves Excelling written by Rev. Charles Wesley in 1747. Page 384 UMC Hymnal)

The movie “A Great Awakening” really spoke to my heart.  I am so very grateful the JEM Theatre showed it.  If you ever have the chance to see this movie, I highly recommend it. I think we all stand in need of renewal and being called afresh to being the kind of people God wants us to be.

I hope you have a beautiful day today and may our days together be filled with renewal, vitality, joy and love as we follow in the example of the GREAT AWAKENING.   

Your friend,

Pastor Mark Woodward