I’ve long believed that if God will do something once, He can and will do it again. With that in mind, over the years, I’ve loved studying the great moves of God because if He did it once, He can and will pour out His Holy Spirit again.
One of my favorite studies is the one led by William J. Seymour beginning in 1906 in downtown Los Angeles, California, at 216 North Bonnie Brae. As the presence of God filled the services and what was read throughout the book of Acts was evidenced, the hungry souls relocated to a larger old, dilapidated building at 312 Azusa Street. People from every race, denomination, societal standing, and corner of the globe squeezed into the building for what would become known as the Azusa Street Revival.
Have you ever studied the life of William J. Seymour? If so, I’m sure you will agree that, initially, Seymour wouldn’t have been my choice for being the man to birth a mighty revival. Consider these facts:
- Seymour wasn’t a person of means or notoriety. He was the child of two former slaves. In men’s eyes, Seymour was a no-name nobody going nowhere.
- His race wasn’t the “right” one to become a respected leader of a spiritual movement in this period of American history. Because racial hatred and bigotry abounded, being an African American in 1906 was a significant liability.
- His first attempt at pastoring in Los Angeles would be considered a failure. After preaching on the first Sunday morning after arriving in Los Angeles, Seymour returned that night to the church that had invited him to the city, only to discover that the door was locked and a note posted, telling him not to come back.
- Seymour wasn’t a slick-looking, glamorous preacher. After a bout with smallpox, he was left with a blind eye and a scarred face.
- Evidently, Seymour wasn’t in touch with the latest preaching trends of his day. His unconventional preaching in the Azusa Street tumble-down shack was delivered while Seymour wore a box over his head.
In the eyes of many, Los Angeles had possibly hundreds of people who would have been more qualified and favorable to usher in God’s presence. But, evidently, God didn’t get that memo. Church history will testify that God chose to use this “nobody” person, one that the multitudes would have passed over, to usher in one of the most significant moves of God to sweep across our nation that still has a global impact some 120 years later.
I’m sharing this post to tell you that history is ready to record the feats of another person who will dare to go beyond the limitations placed by man. In case you are wondering, I’m writing about you. To many, you might be just an unlikely, unqualified individual, one who might not have the “necessary” ingredients found on many people’s peck-list of “must-have” essentials. Perhaps many would discount you as someone who would impact your neighborhood and even your city, much less your state and nation. But know that those are man’s limitations. God’s call, His anointing, and your obedience will launch another move of God.
I’ll close with one statement and one question. God is looking for Jesus-loving, Holy Spirit-sensitive, Word-believing, unqualified in man’s eyes, unconventional nobodies like William J. Seymour who will answer, “Yes”. What is your answer?
