I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. – Revelation 2:2-4
God is relational. He is Love and has joy in our love for Him. And His love is lavish, vast, unending. It is steadfast and reliable, ever forgiving wrongs, ever giving grace. He loves His small and sinful creation, holding us in the palm of His hand, singing over us, longing to nestle us under His protection and love like a hen over her chicks. He would leave His flock for us and run to us when we come home beaten down by the world. We should love Him as He has loved us. We should always remember that He is our love. First, last and always; our first love.
With our hearts ignited and our prayer intentional, we can walk in that truth. Christ is our first love. He who came to earth, God made flesh, Emmanuel, God With Us, we will love. And His mandate is simple: love Him and share His love with others.
The heart that desires God obeys His command: love God with all your heart and mind. Love your neighbor as yourself. And God, the Bringer of all good things, the Lover of your soul not only loves you. The shed blood of His Son reconciles all to Him. Remember His words. His desire is that all would come to Him. No one is excluded.
Not the broken by life or the successful. Not the sullen or the greedy. Not the lustful or the lazy. Neither the wrathful nor proud are excluded. Not the hard worker or the drug addict. The corporate millionaire and the man sleeping in a homeless encampment are welcome. The dedicated missionary and the sex worker both are seen and loved. God wants all to open their hearts to Him. That all would desire a relationship with Him. Not lip service. Full, all encompassing love. A first love, a foremost love, an abiding love.
The love of God is warm and soothing, vast and powerful. It is written on every grain of sand on the beach and on each blade of grass in the meadows. Every stone in the rugged mountains and every star in the night sky cry out His praise. He is Holy, Worthy, Mighty and Beautiful. We groan when we walk without Him. And yet, we step away.
But when we step in, closer, closer to God we are filled. His love abounds and our joy overflows. In those times and only in those times are we effective. In those times we are strong. In those times we know peace. In those times our love goes before us and we love best. Because we have stopped relying on ourselves. We have listened to our God.
Hearing God is a discipline. It takes time to read, meditate and to trust. Trust that He will speak. Trust that you will hear. Trust that you are ready to listen. And ready to go, to step into places He will lead.
Ignite your heart. Pray unceasingly. Listen to God and walk with Him. Love Him first. All mission and ministry, purpose and love will overflow from this. All strength and provision, all gratitude, peace and joy will overflow from this one act: love Him first. It is time to remember your first and greatest love: God the Father, Jesus Christ, His Son and the Holy Spirit, who He has given us. All good things hang on this alone.
Remember Him. Love Him. And share His love with someone else. There is no greater joy than this.
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. – John 15:9-12
Written by Janet Keefe
