The Spiritual Chill!

It`s March, and here in England`s West Midlands, we are still getting snow, and its very cold. It has been, a long cold winter. We just yearn for warm weather, for the sun to shine brightly, for that spring, feel good factor.
In our churches how do we feel? Not much happening? Discouraged? It all seems so dead? etc etc? In my life time, and my thirty years in ministry, there seems to be a decline in evangelical Christianity. Many churches see poor attendence, struggle financialy, feel the Holy Spirit has deserted them. Not in all cases, but my guess is, many!
Here in Britain the churches seem to have an up-hill struggle, or it often feels that way? It`s like, we have been enduring a long spiritual winter, and yearn for a spiritual spring. Oh, we can be busy, various outreaches, etc. All good, we should be working. But maybe seeing little fruit for our work?
Studying church history can be a comfort, as we see recorded, the ups and downs of the church historical. Times of great spiritual drought are often followed by, new spiritial life suddenly springing up. In the time of the Wesleys and George Whitefeild, and others, great spiritual awakening, revival, spread through this nation, and in north America. God used some very ordinary people, in an extrordinary way.
My favourite time of the year is Easter. First, winter is past and we have the promise of summer. Secondly, I'm reminded that Christ is risen and new hope is born.
Dietrich Bonhoffer in his Doctrinal Thesis "Sanctorum Communio" said this, amongst many other good things, "In order for the church, which already is completed in Christ, to build itself up in time, the will of God must be actualized ever anew, now no longer in a fundamental way for all people, but in the personal appropriation of the individual."
We often feel, "Oh I wish God would do something in the church!" We must remember the church is made up of individual parts, of which we are one! Great movements of God's Holy Spirit, often start in one, or just a few people. So, maybe, the question is not, can God do something in the church?, but can God do something in me, through me? The Bible, and church histories, answer to this is,'Yes He can!'
We often look for, ministers, evangelists, who can walk on water. In the Bible, Jesus did walk on water. He walked towards a boat full of very ordinary people, calmed a storm, and eventualy sent them out, to do His work, to found the church. I can see myself in those men, "Doubting Thomas", "Peter the denier of Christ" and so on. Jesus said to them, "Its your turn now, but don`t worry, I'll be with you." He gave them the Holy Spirit, and set them to work. The result is, that today, in 21st century England, and wherever you might be, there is a church, and you are part of it.
Will there be a spiritual spring? If we are waiting for another John Wesley, etc, the answer is probably, "No!" But, if we see ourselves as His disciples today then there is great hope.
The church is as cold, or as dead, as I am, as you are. God can do great things?, this has never been in doubt. But, we need to realize, it`s through me, through you, that He will work.
Dont pray, "Lord raise up some great Christians", but, "God, use me". From such a beginning great works of God begin.