Stand on the shore of any ocean and watch the waves. They rise, crest, and fall—never static, always moving. Surfers know this rhythm intimately. They wait patiently, scanning the horizon, discerning the right moment to paddle and catch the wave. Timing is everything. Too early, and you miss it. Too late, and it crashes over you.
Life, ministry, and the move of God often feel like waves. They come and go in rhythms and seasons. Scripture affirms this truth:
“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.”
(Ecclesiastes 3:1)
As envoys of Christ, we are called not only to proclaim the gospel but to discern the times and seasons—to know when God is moving and how to ride the wave of His purposes. This is not a peripheral skill; it is central to our calling.
The Biblical Call to Discern Seasons
The sons of Issachar stand out in David’s army for a unique reason:
“Of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do…”
(1 Chronicles 12:32)
They didn’t just know the calendar; they understood the spiritual climate and advised action. This is the essence of discernment—reading the horizon of God’s activity and aligning our steps accordingly.
Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for failing to interpret the signs of the times:
“You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.”
(Matthew 16:3)
Paul urged believers to “redeem the time” because the days are evil (Ephesians 5:16). Discernment is not optional for the envoy; it is mission-critical. Without it, we risk paddling in the wrong direction or missing the wave entirely.
Waves as a Metaphor for God’s Movements
Think of revival as a wave. It begins as a ripple, gathers momentum, and eventually breaks with power. Surfers don’t create waves—they position themselves to ride them. Likewise, we cannot manufacture revival, but we can posture ourselves to catch it. Envoys can learn three lessons from surfers:
- Watch the horizon: Surfers don’t stare at their feet; they look ahead. Likewise, we must stay alert to what God is doing globally and locally. This means prayer, Scripture, and listening to the Spirit.
- Paddle with purpose: When the wave comes, act decisively—don’t hesitate. Delay can mean missing the moment.
- Ride with balance: Stay centered on Christ; waves can thrill but also throw you off if pride or distraction creeps in.
Revival waves have come throughout history—the Great Awakening, the Welsh Revival, Azusa Street. Each had its crest and decline. Those who discerned and acted rode the wave; others stood on the shore debating its legitimacy.
The Gen Z Wave—What It Tells Us
Every wave has its moment. Miss it, and it’s gone. The current wave sweeping across the globe is the Gen Z revival. The Gen Z are marked by digital fluency – they live online—so the envoy must engage digital spaces, a craving for authenticity – they reject hypocrisy and seek real faith experiences, and an orientation toward justice – they resonate with the kingdom’s call to righteousness and mercy.
They are gathering in stadiums, flooding prayer rooms, and leveraging digital platforms for the gospel. This is not coincidence; it is divine timing. What this wave tells us is that God is stirring hearts for a raw, unfiltered encounter with Jesus. This is not hype; it is hunger. And hunger is the seedbed of revival. The envoy must not stand on the shore debating the tide; we must paddle out and ride.
How the Envoy Can Ride This Wave
Here are some practical steps envoys can take to catch and ride this current Gen Z driven wave of revival
- Discern the season: Pray for Issachar-like wisdom. Ask God, “What are You doing in this generation? How can I join You?”
- Engage the platforms: Use social media as a mission field. Paul went to the marketplace; today’s marketplace is digital.
- Model authenticity: Live the gospel transparently. Gen Z can smell pretense a mile away.
- Mentor and mobilize: Equip Gen Z to lead and serve. Don’t just preach to them—partner with them.
Don’t Miss the Wave
Waves don’t wait. If you snooze you will lose your moment. History is littered with missed waves. The Pharisees missed Jesus because He didn’t fit their expectations. Let’s not repeat their mistake. If we cling to old methods or ignore new movements, we risk irrelevance. As envoys, we must adapt without compromising truth—flexible in method, firm in message.
The ocean of God’s purposes is vast. Waves will keep coming—some small, some massive. Our call is to stay anchored in Christ, eyes on the horizon, ready to ride the next wave for His glory.
“Redeem the time, because the days are evil.”
(Ephesians 5:16)
We were born for such a time as this, let us be envoys who discern, act, and ride the wave of God’s mission.
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