First love

In the book of Revelation Chapter 2, in the first few verses to the church of Ephesus, whilst there is much encouragement relating to hard work, perseverance, lack of tolerance towards evil and not giving in to discouragement, we see a call to repent and return to ‘first love’ – to do the works of love you did at first.

My husband and I have been discussing this week about returning to ‘first love’ – feeling the whisper of the Lord as He draws us into that intimate place of resting in His amazing love and peace; reminiscing and talking about the time when we were first ‘born again’ and the amazing joy we found in His Presence. Spending time with Him in His Word and worship was so easy and a delight, refreshing to our souls and bringing peace to heart and mind.

Sometimes the ‘worries of life, the lure of wealth and the desire for other things’ (Mark 4:19) all too quickly crowd out the Message of the gospel. We can get side-tracked from the truth that our Lord and Friend is always with us, breathing life and strength into our hearts, if we will just wait on Him – be aware of His Presence and include Him in our day to day lives.

I was reading Ephesians chapter 1 in the Passion Translation and a few words touched my heart afresh: “May God Himself, the heavenly Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, RELEASE GRACE over you and IMPART TOTAL WELLBEING into your lives”. “Because of His great love, He ordained us, so that we would be seen as holy in His eyes with an UNSTAINED INNOCENCE’. ‘For it was always His perfect plan to adopt us as His delightful children, through our union with Jesus, the Anointed One, so that His TREMENDOUS LOVE that CASCADES OVER US would glorify His grace – for the same love He has for His Beloved One, Jesus, He has for us. And this unfolding plan brings Him great pleasure”.

Lord help us to lay aside distractions that draw us aside and let us be drawn more and more into your loving embrace this week. Let us hear Your voice calling and let us run together.

Like the song says “Awaken first love, come awake, and do as you did at first. Spirit of the Living God fall afresh on me”

Shalom Kath