I’ve felt for a while that I had drifted away from the intimacy I once shared with the Lord. I’m still steadily involved with good and godly things, and I haven’t gone off the deep end. But I began to take inventory of how I had been spending my time and energy, and I wasn’t too surprised.
In this age of streaming everything, I admitted to myself and some trusted friends that I binge-watch a lot of Netflix. I often stay up super late, which of course doesn’t put me in a great position to get up early and spend any time with Him.
I thought back to twenty years ago when I first gave my life to Christ. It was my joy and delight to sacrifice anything and everything to dig into His Word or spend time in prayer and worship. I still do those things, but they just happen in my car, on the go, hurried and sporadic. I don’t intentionally sit down nearly as much as I used to or create space to sit and simply listen to what He is saying.
I knew this needed to change, and I’m in the beginning of this process of re-cultivating my first love with God.
Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.
Revelation 2:4-5 (NIV)
Every sermon or song I’ve listened to lately has circled around this Scripture. We, as busy believers, have forgotten our first love. We don’t do it on purpose. We don’t do it because we think our ways are better. Forgetting our first love doesn’t happen overnight. It is a slow fade. It begins with one compromise, with giving in to one distraction. It happens when we give in to our flesh and when we don’t prioritize well.
This has been my life for the past few years. I haven’t prioritized well. I have given in to my flesh. More confessions: along with my extreme binge-watching, I just don’t go to bed at a decent time. Sometimes I struggle with insomnia, but sometimes I don’t. Sometimes I just find ways to stay up late. My mornings are rushed with getting up and getting ready for work. I used to read and study the Bible on my lunch breaks, but I haven’t been a good steward of that time for a while. More often than not, my fringe hours are spent mindlessly scrolling through social media.
I have been sensing in my spirit that there would be some transitions taking place in multiple areas of my life this year. When transitions occur, we need to be in the best posture of heart to hear His still, small voice and be able to discern when making decisions. So I knew getting still and quiet and prioritizing time with the Lord needed to happen.
Last fall, when I chose a word for the year, it seemed as though every environment I was in was focused on the same thing — wholehearted devotion to the Lord. My word — wholehearted — wasn’t just for me but for the entire church. Perhaps this word is for you as well.
We live such fast-paced lives. We go from one thing to the next thing to the next thing. It has become a familiar cycle of habits we feel powerless to break. Sometimes we find ourselves in circumstances or relationships or behaviors that lead us away from Him. We become double-minded in our attention and affections.
If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.
Jeremiah 29:13 (NLT)
But the Father is wanting to do a deep and lasting work in us and through us. He is wanting to speak mysteries and revelations to us. He is wanting to encourage the broken around us and to build His Kingdom.
The Holy Spirit’s conviction to return to my first love has been so kind and gracious to me. I pray that you can sense His kindness as well. He convicts us, never to shame us but to make us more like the image of Christ.
I desperately desire to live a life pure in heart, spirit, and motivation. Let us cast off every distraction in our lives so that we can run free and unhindered in the pursuit of Christ.
Do you feel as though you’ve forgotten your first love? What are some distractions you can cut away in order to create more space for time with God?
Let us cast off every distraction in our lives so that we can run free and unhindered in the pursuit of Christ. -@karina268: Click To Tweet Leave a Comment
Karina,
Welcome to the club…we are ALL prone to wander. Yes, I’ve wandered away from my first love many times. It’s not intentional, but more like a gradual slippery slope. While reading your post, I was thinking about how my husband asks me each day, “So, what’s on your schedule today?” I’m quick to jump in with answers like, “Work for the foundation, get some groceries, throw in a load or two of laundry…” I’ve noticed how my first answer hasn’t been, “Spend time with the Lord.” It makes me realize that when I give my day’s agenda, I need to be about spending time with the Lord first – maybe not first in terms of hour of the day, but first in terms of priority. My time with Him needs to be a non-negotiable, not a squeeze it in when I have a few minutes. I think of all the times God has given me forced rest from surgeries, injuries, and illnesses, it’s been in these times that I have really relished soaking in His Word. I know how much I enjoy that time….so why do I/we wander? The enemy sure is crafty in getting us all high and lofty (pride) about all our other accomplishments. I know I need to humble myself and make God and His agenda my first priority. Great post! Thanks for sharing honestly!
Blessings,
Bev xx
Thank you Bev! Yes! I’m such a doer and when I sit with Him my flesh makes me feel like I’m wasting time. Such a lie!
Let’s prioritize Him together!
Sadly, even ministry, the acts of service that we perform FOR God can take His place in our hearts. This is my battle, and I’m grateful for the Scripture you shared. “Wholehearted” is such a powerful description of God’s love and commitment to us, and it’s a call back to the seeking that got us where we are today.
Amen Michelle! I hear you! Thanks for reading and sharing!
I have turned off most of the apps on my phone from 7pm to 5 am. I get up at 4:30 am for time with God and am committed to not using them until I have had my devotions. This has been a huge help!
Such a good practical idea, Darlene!
SO good Darlene!!! Genius!
Yeah I have screen time on my phone it limits the use while I don’t always use it my phone gets dark from 10 to 5 am it is a great reminder
So, good-and timely! I, too, struggle prioritizing that time to sit in the Word, or in meditation. I am praying often, throughout the day, and that’s fine, but it’s NOT the same as being still with Him. I’ve been at this for quite some time as well, and every now and then I have a conviction to pull it back together—this is it for this go round. 🙂 “Wholehearted” that’s the perfect word for the year! Thank you!
Thank you Heather! Let’s get back to basics sister!
I’m glad I found this today. I mindlessly scroll through social media all day. I throw in a prayer here and there. If God treated me this way…
Right?! Isn’t that the truth Darlene? Let’s be intentional together to seek Him as our priority!
Thank you, Karina. I have known this for quite some time, but have not made the wholehearted commitment to making this time for just me and Jesus. You have spurred me on to centre on Him above all else. I ‘do’ my devotional readings and journalling, but it’s not the same as just sitting in His Presence, gazing on His lovely face and listening to His heart. Thank you! God bless you.
Barbara…I love this…” Gazing on His lovely face and listening to His Heart ” wow..it gave me peace and a smile as I pondered this.
Each night before bed , I enter into prayer by first…thinking of running to Him As He walks along the ocean beach….then we have 2 way conversation… The sunset on His face is so lovely…and His voice so gentle. He waits for me each night… I anticipate daily what He wants to tell me each night.. I have been a Christian for over 50 years and He always delights my heart. His LOVE never fails . You won’t be disappointed Ted meeting him and listening. ✝
Thank you, Cheryl. There was a time when I used to sit with Jesus for just a few minutes, picturing the two of meeting in a wood, listening and talking and sharing. He showed me so much and it was very precious. You’ve encouraged me to do this again.
Thank you Barbara for reading and sharing! I can’t wait to hear what truths and mysteries He reveals to you during your time with you!
Ouch:( I’m glad to read the very words the Spirit has been whispering to me also… come on over to the real life source..ME!
Life happens but so does sin… Christ is the only way to ward it off at daybreak every day.. for me.. what a WONDERFUL SAVIOR, wanting me and you enough to die for us! Praising Him and His faithfulness to us , His children \0/
Hallelujah Sadie! Thank you for sharing! Christ is the only way! He is the source of our strength, hope and power.
This is very convicting. As an empty nester whose kid care and now parent care has ended, I am becoming aware that too much freedom of my time can be full of distractions. Being intentional in my time (with God) is challenging even when you suddenly, at last, have more time. Maybe the temptation to do “fun” things is stronger as we lose some of our heaviest responsibilities… like “I have earned my fun time”
Holy Spirit teach us how to transition in life well, so we don’t fade at the end of the race!
Thank you for your honest sharing!! We are indeed better together!
Amen Holly! That is so good! I can desire to do “fun” things as well, completely forgetting that He is the most FUN, because He is the creator of it!
Thank you for this! I have been struggling with this for a while too. I’ve been dealing with family issues and sometimes I just want to run away from everyone including God. Please pray for me.
Praying for you this morning, Megan! May you take that feeling of wanting to run away and turn it into running towards God. He sees you, He is waiting for you.
“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)
Megan,
Sweet sister! I pray you will run towards God not away. Life down here is hard-especially dealing with family issues. He understands. He knows your pain. Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” He wants to heal your wear heart.
Blessings 🙂
Jesus, capture Megan’s heart. Cultivate an insatiable desire for You and the things of You. Create time in her schedule to just sit and rest in Your presence. Speak life, hope and joy to her soul and peace to her mind. May she run to You and not away from you! You are waiting with open arms.
Oh, Karina. This is so good and so hard and such a timely word for all of us. You explain it perfectly: “Forgetting our first love doesn’t happen overnight. It is a slow fade.” Choosing with you, sister, to establish healthy boundaries in order to give my best to my first love!
Thank you for reading and sharing Becky! Yes! It happens and we don’t even notice. Let’s keep each other accountable. He is SO worthy of our best! I love you friend!
What a wonderful message you’ve shared, and truly a most important one, thank you. Since the first of the year I have been choosing to spend mornings with Jesus, our Father and The Holy Spirit, reading devotionals, and writing what they are saying for me. I feel clothed in Him then throughout the day and having
Him near is comforting, strengthening, and reassuring. I think most of us can say we drift with the way the world presses in, and the tempting distractions that steal our joy and delight with Him. But His arms are always open and He knows our love for Him is held deeply in our heart.
TRUE LOVE. So yes we may need some adjusting at times for more intimacy but, I don’t believe we ever lose our first love, not if we treasure it.
And like the lover Jesus is, He is always wooing and pursuing us in His Great unfailing Love. Always and Forever.
Thanks for reading Lynn! Blessings!
Thanks for sharing Lynn! Blessings!
Karina,
I watched a documentary about the Arctic Wolves last night. One poor wolf had her litter taken from her by a rival pack. She then went on to devote herself to care for a litter as a surrogate Mother. The poor girl wasn’t given any adequate food, but yet she continued to feed the young at the cost of her life. Never once did she become distracted, but remained focused, loving, and devoted, demonstrating what true love and devotion are. She taught me a lot, and as much as I hope I’d have it in me, I can’t honestly say that I do. Which confirms to me what you’ve shared. Thank-you for your honesty………..
have a blessed day all,
Penny
You make known to me the path of life, in your presence there is fullness of joy. Psalm 16:11
Amen Penny! Thank you for sharing!!! I love being on this journey together sister!
Karina,
No one is alone in wandering from God. The writer of Come Thou Fount had issues with leaving God -“Prone to wander Lord I feel it. Prone to leave the God I love.” The problem is two fold. The devil is crafty & lures us into doing tons for God or being busy “with life”. The world also isn’t helping. They say keep going, doing, achieving. There are many things that charm & distract us from God. Some are seemingly good things. I feel this country needs a revival. We need to get back to our fist love of God first, family, self. Spending time with God is about a relationship we once had with Him that has faded. It is about wanting to be with the one who gave His all for us. We are merely human & get so easily distracted. Let’s shut off some of those distractions & spend time with the creator of the universe. He is waiting patiently daily, hourly to talk with us.
Blessings 🙂
Amen Beth!
Guilty! THANK YOU for this timely post for me. Stepping out of a ministry left a void easily filled not by social media (because I’ve vowed to stay away from it, knowing how it controls, consumes, and incites) but by news feeds, allowing them to do the very same.
But God is faithful, gently pointing out the error of my ways and providing a light shining towards that narrow path.
I, too have been guilty of allowing other things to distract me before having a quiet time with the Lord. Am going to do my best to not have that happen.
Also, I have been waiting on the (in)Courage Bible study which was to start February 1. I signed up but have not received anything. I am not on Facebook.
Glenda
I, too need to reminded to not let other things distract me.
Also, was looking forward to your online Bible study with the (in)Courage Bible but as yet have not had any e-mails. I thought it was starting on February 1. I do not have Facebook.
Glenda
Thanks for sharing Glenda! I’ll check on that for you!
This is so me! I wrote down everything that spoke to me: forgetting my first love, one compromise, one distraction, not prioritizing well, and giving into my flesh. And turned your words into a prayer, “Lord, I desperately desire to live a life pure in heart, spirirt, and motivation. Help me to cast off every distraction in my life so I can run free and unhindered in the pursuit of Christ.” I am trying to discipline myself and getting back to spending quiet time with God. Thank you for the devotion.
You are so welcome Areum! I love that prayer! I say Yes and Amen to it!
Be Blessed!!!
Karina,
I loved your courage in reflecting upon your own spiritual condition. It made me thinking about myself when I feel guilty of my past and current mistakes. Thank you so much. God bless.
You are so welcome Marinalva! Thank you for reading and sharing!
Blessings to you!
This is so good! I struggle because we spend time in His word twice daily as a family but lately He has been urging me to also be alone, just him and me. It is so easy to say “but I do it twice a day”. Thank you for this reminder that I am not alone in this!
Susan, you are most definitely not alone! I bless your pursuit of Him. May He speak much revelation and mysteries! Thank you for sharing!!!
My head and business seoarated me from the Lord and more. Through prayer and lamentong reoentence and fervently seeking God His grace has been my strength rock. Thank you for being affirming and tenderly reminding me of my Gift from God TIME WITH HIM