I had a new first love every week in junior high. My fickle-self could fall in and out of love easily until I found my first true love – then I married him.
When we first met – it was love at first wink. You know how it is when you first fall in love, right? We can’t spend enough time together, hang on every word and believe it all. We abandon all until the excitement dims into the mundane and one day we find ourselves asking the one who gave us shivers to take out the trash and stop hogging the bed.
And we wonder what happened. We lose freshness and presence if we don’t pay attention.
It’s a slow fade . . .
Jesus addresses the church in Ephesus about losing their first love, saying they lost their initial passion and zeal.
Yet I hold this against you – you have forsaken your first love. Revelation 2:4
I remember when I was first smitten with the Lord – He knew me before I met Him, by the way. I fell head-over-heels at His holy feet. I needed to be shackled. He changed my life so of course I had to tell everyone! Every. One.
And He has been faithful since the day He walked me down the aisle in an old church in Bensalem, so I still do. This September is our fiftieth anniversary!
An underlying reason of losing our first passion is that we think we have lost our need for God. As love fades, faith weakens. So it’s a question for all of us. Are you still passionate about your relationship with Christ or do you need to revisit your first love?
Maybe the holy shivers need some reviving like when you were first on-fire for Jesus but gradually burned out.
We probably all need a little rekindling in His Word, at His feet, choosing the good portion.
If you will let Jesus sit on the steps of your soul, He will court and spark again and again to whisper unfailing love into your spirit. Revisit your sacred moments together to remember who you belong to. Because His rival comes a-courting too. He does all he can to rob us of our deep devotion by twisting God’s love letter in the Bible to a mass of complicated verses. Don’t get caught. May you celebrate the One who loved you first and loved you enough to die for.
(Adding a little memory of tenderness, when I think back to the one who caught my eye at first wink. After four decades of marriage, this dearly-missed guy left for heaven a week after Valentine’s Day. I remember the first and the last). So this one’s for you, Jeff.
I have loved you with an everlasting love – therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you. Jeremiah 31:3
Fear not, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by name. You are mine. Isaiah 43:1
Verna
Verna
I just spoke to Pastor about this very thing Yesterday. Mom and I walked through grief and loneliness together but when God took Mom I feel abandoned. I pray, I read my bible I believe andyet I feel no joy, I don’t hear his soothing voice. May Jesus truly court me during this season.
Thank you Verna
Yes Cheryl, I know your heart as you bear the loss of your husband and your mom. Abiding in His Word is where comfort is found. Praying for you, dear sister.
So lovely a devotion and honoring of our Jesus and your Jeff. I am so in Love with our God too. No love greater, no one more devoted than He to all of us. How blessed we all are.
As always, thanks for sharing💕🙏🏻
Thank you Ruth for your kind comment — for sure, there is no love greater.
Amen
Verna, you shared the vulnerable side of you and a powerful relationship with Jesus Christ. Thank-you for a window into your soul. We all need that kind of commitment. God be with you as you remember your dear husband, and He will give you peace.
Thank you for your faithful visits and encouragement, Lynda!
Dear Verna I’ve Always loved your Heartfelt posts and how they minister to me …God has gifted you!! I will always remember how Jeff was SO PROUD of you when I first met him at a craft show , I was the one who LOVED his incredible carvings and have them all around our home.. he spoke of you so often and I am so Blessed to know that Jesus and Jeff are your TRUE loves .God knew how you Both have Blessed me and so many others.. You are both “Carvers,” Jeff of wood and you of The Word into our hearts 🥰 Blessings to you !!! Carol
Oh Carol, your message blesses me more than you know — so grateful for you staying in touch. Jeff appreciated you ~ I do too!
Love this Verna, and I agree with Carol. You and dear Jeff both have been carvers of wood and the Word. Thanking God for you both and the sweet memories we have shared together with you and Jeff. Looking forward to seeing him again in heaven….and you hopefully down here as we await for the returning of our first love.
Thank you, dear friend . . . your friendship and encouragement means so much, and those forever memories we share when there were four. Love you.