( MY QUOTE )
‘Revival is for the weak in spirit while awakening is for the already strong in spirit.’
— Philip Santus
Let’s look at the Biblical influence:
Certainly—two Bible verses that resonate deeply with the themes of revival for the spiritually weak and awakening for the spiritually strong are:
1. Revival: Psalm 51:10-12
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.”
Context and Relevance: This passage, written by King David, pleads for revival and restoration after he strayed from God’s path. David asks God to renew his spirit and restore his connection to divine joy, essentially asking for a “revival” of his weakened state. This mirrors the first part of the quote by showing how those feeling spiritually distant or weak seek to reignite their strength and connection to God.
2. Awakening: Ephesians 1:17-18
“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.”
Context and Relevance: In this passage, Paul prays for the Ephesians’ spiritual growth, asking that God enlighten them with wisdom and understanding. This verse suggests an awakening—a deepened spiritual awareness and insight for those who are already strong in their faith. This aligns with the quote’s concept of awakening as a progression beyond revival, guiding the strong in spirit to reach an even greater spiritual understanding.
These two verses reflect the quote’s perspective on spiritual revival and awakening as two stages on the journey of faith—one for restoration and one for enlightenment.
NOW, LET’S LOOK AT THE DEEP MEANING OF MY QUOTE:
Let’s break down this quote from Philip Santus into its core parts and examine the deeper layers it suggests about personal growth and the nuances of spiritual development.
1. “Revival is for the weak in spirit”
- Understanding “Revival”: Revival typically refers to a renewal or reawakening of something that has been diminished or lost. In spiritual terms, it’s often seen as a process of reigniting a weakened or dormant spirit.
- “Weak in Spirit”: Being “weak in spirit” might imply a state of spiritual dormancy or disconnection, where someone lacks the vitality or connection to deeper meaning and purpose. This could be due to a range of factors—emotional distress, life circumstances, or a loss of faith.
- Interpretation: Here, revival is necessary for those who feel spiritually lacking, guiding them to restore their sense of purpose and realign with their spiritual or moral compass. It’s a process of rebuilding and reinforcing, suggesting that revival is fundamentally restorative.
2. “Awakening is for the already strong in spirit”
- Understanding “Awakening”: Awakening often represents a shift to a new level of awareness or understanding, moving beyond the ordinary perception of reality. Unlike revival, which is about restoring, awakening is about elevating and expanding consciousness.
- “Already Strong in Spirit”: This implies that the person undergoing awakening is not spiritually dormant or disconnected; rather, they are already connected, resilient, and attuned to their inner strength and purpose.
- Interpretation: Awakening is a deepening process for those already grounded in their spiritual foundation. For these individuals, awakening isn’t about recovery; it’s about achieving higher levels of insight, transcending previous limitations, and exploring new depths of understanding.
3. Contrasting “Revival” and “Awakening”
- Progressive Stages of Spiritual Growth: The quote establishes a distinction between two stages on the path of spiritual development. Revival is a starting point for those who need to reclaim their spiritual resilience, while awakening is a more advanced step for those ready to transcend previous levels of awareness.
- Implications of Strength and Readiness: Revival speaks to a process of fortifying oneself, while awakening suggests that one has already reached a threshold of strength that allows for transformative leaps. It suggests that not everyone may be prepared for awakening until they have first undergone a revival.
4. Overall Meaning and Insight
- Cycle of Growth: The quote underscores a cycle: an initial stage of revival for those who need spiritual re-fortification, and an advanced stage of awakening for those ready to evolve further. It suggests that spiritual growth is a layered process, where readiness for the next stage depends on completing the previous one.
- Encouragement and Caution: Santus’s message offers a dual encouragement—those feeling weak can be revived, while those strong in spirit should aspire to awaken. It’s a call for people at different stages to seek spiritual growth suited to their current level.
In summary, this quote serves as a layered exploration of spiritual growth, addressing both recovery and transcendence as distinct but interconnected phases in a person’s journey toward higher awareness. Revival helps re-establish a weakened spirit, while awakening expands an already resilient one, both essential steps on the path to holistic spiritual maturity.
Here are five books that explore themes of spiritual revival, awakening, and growth, which align with the insights from Philip Santus’s quote:
1. “The Pursuit of God” by A.W. Tozer
- Overview: This classic book is about the human longing for God’s presence and the journey to reconnect spiritually. Tozer delves into the idea of revival for those who feel spiritually distant and emphasizes the importance of continually seeking a deeper relationship with God.
- Relation to the Quote: Tozer’s book speaks to those who may feel weak or disconnected in spirit, urging them toward a renewal and deeper awareness of God’s presence.
2. “The Dark Night of the Soul” by St. John of the Cross
- Overview: This mystical classic discusses the stages of spiritual purification and growth. St. John of the Cross describes a path of spiritual “darkness” that leads to a heightened understanding and union with God, an “awakening” that transcends ordinary faith.
- Relation to the Quote: The concept of the “dark night” resonates with revival for the spiritually weak, while the final union with God reflects the awakening and transformation of the already strong in spirit.
3. “Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth” by Richard J. Foster
- Overview: This book examines the classic spiritual disciplines (such as meditation, fasting, and prayer) that Foster argues are essential for both revival and deep spiritual growth. Foster’s insights provide a roadmap for individuals at different stages of their faith journey.
- Relation to the Quote: Foster’s discussion of disciplines is relevant to both the process of revival for the spiritually weak and the pursuit of awakening for those seeking greater spiritual strength and insight.
4. “Awakening the Inner Light: Spiritual Growth in Today’s World” by Charles Swindoll
- Overview: Swindoll’s work provides a guide to growing and strengthening one’s spiritual core, focusing on inner resilience and faith. His approach includes practical steps for connecting with one’s inner light and moving toward spiritual maturity.
- Relation to the Quote: This book offers encouragement for both revival and awakening, addressing those who seek to strengthen a weakened spirit and those ready to evolve to a higher level of spiritual awareness.
5. “The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment” by Eckhart Tolle
- Overview: Though not strictly a Christian text, Tolle’s exploration of mindfulness and presence provides valuable insights on awakening to a higher state of spiritual consciousness. It emphasizes the importance of transcending ego and awakening to a new spiritual dimension.
- Relation to the Quote: Tolle’s insights on enlightenment align with the concept of awakening for those already strong in spirit, guiding readers to a greater level of awareness and presence that resonates with the second half of the quote.
Each of these books offers a unique perspective on the journey of spiritual revival and awakening, making them insightful companions for exploring the deeper meanings within the quote.
