First Love - What Will You Choose?

Rev. 2:4 - Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.

I don't know about you, but I've heard this scripture preached numerous times. And usually the context is how we usually abandon our first love and move on to others. Rarely do any of us stick with - and marry - our "first loves".

But this morning, the Lord showed me a whole different meaning to "first love".

Think about ALL the times you were (or thought you were) "in love". With each and every one - it starts out the same. You're passionately "in love". The other person can do NO wrong. They have NO faults whatsoever. Nobody can convince you that this isn't THE greatest person on the face of the earth. They don't have to do anything - give you anything. But if they do, no matter how insignificant, it becomes the greatest treasure you ever had. They could pick up a rock in the street, scrawl your name on it, give it to you and all you can see is a gem greater than the Hope Diamond. You absolutely adore them. As far as you're concerned this is THE one and nobody can say ANYthing at all to make you doubt that.

However, as time passes, and you stayed with that person past this "fairytale" state (whether you marry or not) you start noticing things...differences. You start listening to other people's opinions...thoughts...impressions. You start looking for faults...questioning their motives...accusing them. You begin to doubt your feelings...your future. You start expecting them to give you things...do things for you...and when they don't...regardless of how viable their excuse is...you begin to doubt their feelings for you. At this point, most people bail - regardless of whatever commitment they may have made. Nothing the other person can say or do matters or can change your mind - you're moving on. Some move on physically. Some physically stay, but move on emotionally.

If you're one of the very rare and few who sticks it out past this stage, you realize that nobody's perfect. You look at yourself and see your own faults. And you CHOOSE to stick it out. You CHOOSE to work at it. You realize that true love is deeper than you ever imagined. You also realize that you can still have that wonderful "fairytale" love...but you have to "work" at it...continue "courting" each other...spend time with each other. You look into their eyes and somewhere from deep within that familiar "fairytale" feeling comes bubbling up.

That's what God showed me this morning. Now before anybody gets their feathers ruffled - I am in NO way saying that God is not perfect or that He has flaws or faults. Nothing could be further from the truth!! But as "new" Christians we have that "fairytale" love and acceptance of the Lord. We just want to be in His presence. We don't expect ANYthing from Him - salvation was more than enough. People call us "radical"and we just fluff it off - "they just don't understand". You look at flowers blooming and gush that He did that just for you. Nobody can say anything to make you doubt your faith or your future. His Word is golden. And you will NOT accept anything the world has to offer any longer - it's ALL God or nothing.

But somewhere along the way - for whatever reason - many of us start listening to the "popular opinion". Start "toning down" our faith to a more "acceptable" decible. Flowers are just weeds that popped up because seeds happened to be scattered there by some passing bird. We start looking for faults and flaws - in His actions...in His Word. We question His motives. We start expecting Him to do things for us...give us things. We try every "10 step program" to get health...prosperity...and then get frustrated and angry at Him when it doesn't work. When adverse things happen to us or around us we accuse Him of letting us down or deserting us. We start looking to the world for comfort...entertainment...advice. At this point, many walk away. Not to the point that they denounce Christ (although some do). But rather they let it become a "marriage of convenience" - no longer do they read or study God's Word...church becomes a duty they perfom once a week for appearances sake....worship is merely the 3 songs they are obligated to sing at church on Sunday.

But the Lord wants you to know it doesn't have to be that way. But you will have to CHOOSE for it not to be. You will have to CHOOSE to stick it out. You will have to CHOOSE to work at it. That means spending time with Him...in His Word..in His presence...in worship - when you don't "feel like it"...when it's not convenient...when it's not popular. Close your ears to the world's "political correctness". Turn to Him for advice...comfort...love. And you will look on Him - in your thoughts...prayers...worship - and somewhere from deep within will come bubbling up this feeling that is so familiar...and sweet!

Do it today...as His return is nigh! I love how The Message Bible puts it:
Rev. 2:4-5 - "But you walked away from your first love—why? What's going on with you, anyway? Do you have any idea how far you've fallen? A Lucifer fall! Turn back! Recover your dear early love. No time to waste, for I'm well on my way to removing your light from the golden circle."