The Gifts He Gives Us

I wish I could have experienced it.

I might have come by myself, seeking. Or, maybe a friend brought me reluctantly.

Fear or curiosity or maybe a little bit of both could have filled my heart as I sat there in the packed chapel.

Then a voice rang out.

A sound that had the power to bring a room with countless people into a hushed silence as one sweet melody swept throughout bringing praise to her heavenly Father.

Would I be stunned by her unparalleled voice? Or, would I be struck by her ability to demonstrate her heart toward the Lord as she worshiped Him?

Perhaps it would have been the words sung:

Here is love, vast as the ocean, loving kindness as the flood,

When the Prince of Life my ransom shed for me His precious blood,

Who His love will not remember, who can cease to sing His praise?

He shall never be forgotten through Heaven's everlasting days.

On the mount of crucifixion fountains opened deep and wide

Through the floodgates of God's mercy flowed the vast and gracious tide,

Grace and love like mighty rivers poured incessant from above

Heaven's peace and perfect justice kissed a guilty world in love.

I do know that, like those who surrounded me, I would have been changed by what I heard.

If I was there, I would be experiencing a revival. A revival that took place in Wales in the early 1900's spurred on by the fervent prayers of Evan Roberts.

Hearts, minds, families, communities and lives were changed across Wales through the work of the Holy Spirit.

Disregarding the clock, the packed chapels would hold sometimes a thousand individuals searching for a deeper relationship with the Lord and they would spend hours at these meetings in prayer and passionate worship.

And who was this girl that sang? What was her name?

I wish I knew.

I do know that before Evan Roberts got up to preach this young girl would sing, guiding those who heard to come into the presence of Jesus.

As A.W. Tozer put it while telling her story, "Evan Roberts would then rise to preach and there was little left for him to do. He said that he would quote from the Scriptures and add an exhortation and the people were ready to come to Christ. She had melted them with the warmth and the power of the Spirit!"

No, we do not know her name.

But we do know that she used the gift God gave her and then gave it back to Him.

And look at what He accomplished through her?

The effect of the Welsh Revival was far reaching, not only for the communities in Wales, but throughout the whole world.

My prayer is that I, like the young Welsh girl, look for ways to present my gifts to Him for His greater glory!