Love You Had at First

 By: Lauren Thomas 

The bride and groom stood in front of the minister beaming at each other. The way they held each other’s gaze made it seem that they thought they were the only two in the room. Clearly, obviously, undeniably, they were in love.

 

As the minister led them through the wedding ceremony, he arrived at the exchanging of the vows. The couple made beautiful promises about the love that would remain and sustain their marriage through the triumphs and tragedies of life.

This couple was embarking on a new journey – marriage – with no guarantees or promises of what might lie ahead.  But that didn’t matter. Nothing mattered to them. Except the here and now. Except each other. Except the love that burned between them.

 

Married couples that are further along on the journey understand that this love has the tendency to change over time. For some, the love grows cold. For others it disappears entirely. For others, the feelings go from strong passion to dutiful commitment on the day-to-day.

 

This is even the case with the love of the church for her bridegroom, Jesus.

 

3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary. 4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first.

Revelation 2:3-5a ESV

 

Love must be fanned. It is a flame that can burn out if not tended to. We might believe – and wrongly – that just living in dutiful obedience is enough. But Jesus wants our love. He wants an all-consuming love from us, which is what he offers to us. In Mark 12:30, Jesus tells us to love God with not just our soul, mind, and strength, but with all our heart as well.

 

As an old song lyric goes, perhaps you’ve “lost that loving feeling.” Perhaps the picture of bride and groom, with their loving locked gaze, is one that doesn’t match your experience with Jesus anymore. Then ask. Ask that He give you a fresh love for Him. Fan the flame. Repent and return to the love you had at first.

 

His love remains the same. It has never changed. Never failed. He’s ready for you to fall in love all over again.

 

Reflection:

What does it mean to love the Lord with your soul, mind, heart, and strength? See Mark 12:30.

Did you have a “honeymoon” phase in your love for the Lord? How has it changed?

What do you plan to do to return to that first love experience?