A Conversation with My First Love

I was enamored. No seriously. I was. 

When I first started a friendship with Jesus, I was completely gobsmacked. He became all I was interested in learning about, dreaming about, worshipping, praying to. I'm pretty sure Jesus Freak would have been a good label for me. I wasn't trying to be something, fit a label, or anything. I was genuinely awe-struck by God's love. I just couldn't believe how real He actually is and how tangible His presence is. I felt like I had 18 years of catching up to do, because my whole life up to that point did not know this love. And now, I never ever wanted to leave that place with Him. 

But enter stage left: the world, the devil, the flesh.

Oh, yes, our not-so-friendly friends. They all come to us with a tempting voice and candy in their hands. They know just what to say and do to pull our eyes away from True Love. They present a counterfeit love that feels right, looks right, sounds right. ALL the senses are stoked and if we are not careful, we find ourselves following them like a puppy following the scent of a fresh steak cooking on the grill. 

Now, I'm not saying God doesn't want us to enjoy things in this world. NO WAY! He came to give us life and life to the fullest! The trouble is when we start lusting after things in an unholy way. Or we start placing things above Him, our First Love. It's when we make idols of things or people or pursuits or money or ministry... honestly, it's more about the heart than it is the thing!

This morning, I took a look in the proverbial mirror and recognized my need. I looked haggard. I looked worn out and slightly traumatized even. What is going on? I thought. How can someone who has Jesus and proclaims Jesus feel like this sometimes? 

And that's where my conversation with Him began this morning. He reminded Me again that He is and will always be the source of My strength and joy. Counterfeits betray -- every time. Every. Time.

Jesus never condemns us though. He does what He does best: woos us. He pulls us in like a graceful dance partner that knows what he’s doing and gets us back into step and grace. My goodness, what a Gentleman. What a Lover of our Souls. 

So, today, I am not setting out to strive. I am setting out to abide. BE WITH HIM, TALK TO HIM and maybe even pretend we're on a first date and find out things about Him that I never knew. 

***

HIM: 

Let’s rekindle the love. Rekindle the emotions. Rekindle the first love that burned with devotion. 

ME:

Oh, heart of mine that runs after folly! 

Tempted and pulled away from the Father's glory. 

My eyes look here, my flesh runs there. 

Oh, Lord! I am tempted everywhere! 

HIM:

Then come back to your first love where I captivated your being. Nothing in you wanted anything else. You were Mine and that was all you were interested in pursuing. 

Yes, darling. This world is full of traps! But it doesn't mean you have to get trapped! Your heart will go where your eyes are looking. So look continuously at Me and you'll stay above the temptation!

Darling! I have paved our road with roses, and you walk among the lilies! Remind yourself of this when you think that there is something better below Me. 

More than anything, darling, remember this one thing. I love you. And I am the One who started this adventure with you. I am your Alpha and Omega, your beginning and your end. And I will finish what I started in you -- I promise this, My friend!

So, relax a bit more. Rest here, with no striving. You don't have to work so hard to get My attention, darling. For those who feel they have to earn their way, give up so quickly along the way! SO STOP TRYING and START ABIDING. Let Me teach you what that means, My love, My darling.

Freepik.com