One of my favorite revivals was a revival I preached at the First United Methodist Church in Union Springs. It is a beautiful church with many friendly, warm, Christian people who practice genuine hospitality. The coolest thing happened at the Monday night worship service. A musical group was singing “Give Me Jesus,” and they were singing the line, “and when I come to die, give me Jesus.” Suddenly I noticed that everyone was looking up and moving around and getting all stirred up. I thought a genuine revival was breaking out. Then I looked up and discovered that a revival had not broken out, but bats were flying around the Sanctuary and dive-bombing people in the pews. One man caught one of the bats by opening his hymnal then closing it, thus capturing one of the bats between the pages. (Who says hymnals aren’t needed in the church anymore?) It was decided that we should move into the Fellowship Hall for the preaching. I wanted to stay in the Sanctuary because everybody was looking up. With people fearful of a bat nestling in their hair, it would have been the first sermon I have ever preached where I know nobody would have fallen asleep. It’s the best revival service I have ever been a part of because, truly, everybody was looking up. Psalm 121:1 says, “I lift mine eyes unto the hills, whence does my help come from? It comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth.” Look up today. Look up and know your greatest help comes from God.
– Dr. Tim Thompson