A Lawyer Grapples With Spiritual Unrest
In the autumn of 1821, Charles Finney, a young lawyer in Adams, New York, embarked on a journey into the woods, grappling with a profound sense of spiritual unrest. Despite his legal acumen, Finney found himself unable to pray, as if an invisible barrier stood between him and God. ## A Transformation That Changed America
Yet, amidst this turmoil, he experienced a transformation that would redirect the course of his life and impact countless others.
Finney described this pivotal moment with vivid detail: "But as I turned and was about to take a seat by the fire, I received a mighty baptism of the Holy Ghost. Without any expectation of it, without ever having the thought in my mind that there was any such thing for me, the Holy Spirit descended upon me in a manner that seemed to go through me, body and soul." This experience was not a mere emotional surge but a tangible encounter with God's power, which he likened to "waves and waves of liquid love," as if "fanned by immense wings."
This encounter marked a dramatic shift in Finney's life. Previously, he had been a 'splendid pagan,' a term he used to describe his disinterest in spiritual matters despite his role as a choir director. Yet, after this divine encounter, he abandoned his budding legal career entirely, feeling commissioned by Jesus Himself to become an advocate for the Gospel. He famously declared, "I have a retainer from the Lord Jesus Christ to plead his cause and I cannot plead yours."
Over the following decades, Finney's revivals swept through cities like Rochester and New York, igniting a fervor for faith and social reform. His messages were not only about personal salvation but also addressed the pressing social issues of the day, such as abolitionism and equal education. His methods, often dubbed "New Measures," were both innovative and controversial, yet they undeniably drew thousands to a deeper understanding of Jesus' redemptive work.
Through his life and ministry, Charles Finney demonstrated that Jesus is the one who transforms lives and societies. His legacy, marked by a profound sense of divine calling and social impact, continues to inspire generations to seek a genuine and transformative relationship with God.
