I'Ll Never Be a Moody — E.A. Johnston

Revival-Era Spiritual Giants and Citywide Transformation

In 1875, America was still on the heels of revival, and there were still giants in the land. Moody, Finney, and Sam Jones roamed the earth, doing good for the Lord in the salvation of souls. It was not uncommon for an entire city, with its denominations, to be united together for several months at a time in an effort to reach that city for Christ and the gospel.

All-night prayer meetings were being held, awakened centers were numerous, and additions to the church plentiful. After a visit from one of these spiritual giants, the life of the entire city was changed for God and its glory.

Crime decreased, taverns and gambling halls closed, broken homes were healed, and lives restored, and stolen goods were returned. One hundred and forty-five years later, we don't have revival, and we don't have any giants today.

The Longing to Be a Moody and the Reality of Personal Limitations

We have some names, but no giants. There's a difference. I've always longed to do something great for God, to be the man spoken of in 2 Chronicles 16 .9, where it says, For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.

I've always wanted to be that man, I've always wanted to be a Moody, but I've always fallen short of that goal. I'm not D .O. Moody, I'm just plain old me, with all my faults and shortcomings and sins.

In fact, the reality is, I'll never be a Moody, and that really shakes me to my bones. I believe God is a super-duper God, I believe his promises are true, I believe he is true to his word, I believe that with God all things are possible, and I believe that all things are possible to him that believes.

High Expectations and the Limits of Human Leadership

I really believe all that, and I'll go to my grave believing all that. And I agree with Vance Havner's assessment that if we serve such a dynamite God, then why are so many of us living firecracker lives?

I think it's okay to serve God with high expectations and to reach for the sky. Some pastors start out with big dreams of a successful church, packed to the rafters and members so on fire for God that their entire community is impacted for eternity.

But after a while those dreams never materialize and you may get one or two out of your congregation that's really on fire for God, and then they even will eventually disappoint you. Because the best of men are only men at best.

Ministry Disappointment and the Drift into Mediocrity

Look at Noah, look at Moses, look at David, look at Peter. In the end, you end up with men. You started out with high hopes and great expectations. You had big dreams for your church and you wanted to change the spiritual life of your community, but after a few fights with your deacons and one disappointment after another, you realize that your city is burning in flames and going to hell faster than you can put the fire out.

And reality sets in and then you get a little down in the dumps and you begin to lower your expectations and eventually you settle into the mundane like a lobster in a pot and then it's all over. But I don't think we need to stay there.

Dreaming Big for God Despite Opposition

Even though things can happen and we can become disappointed, even though the devil is a stronger opponent than we are, even though our nation grows more and more wicked every day, even though we are not hitting home runs all the time, it's still okay to reach for the stands and dream big for God.

Becoming the Best Version of Yourself in Christ's Service

We don't have to become the other people that we emulate. We just need to be a better version of ourselves. I've had to live with the fact that I'll never be a moody, but I can still get down on the floor and prostrate myself before my God and with tears streaming down my face, I can cry out to him for further usefulness to him in the spear he has sovereignly placed me in.

I'll never be a moody, but I can pray along the following lines, Lord, I know I'll never be a moody, but make me the best me I can be for thee. In the strong name of Jesus, I pray, amen.