Faded

 

“I remember the devotion of your youth, how as a bride you loved me and followed me through the desert, through a land not sown. ”

—Jeremiah 2:2

As a teacher, I always looked forward to the first day of a new school year. Summer came to school on the children’s faces and gradually faded into fall. I remember those pink cheekbones, and glowing tanned arms and legs. Yet, without a notice in another month, the sun’s influence on their complexions faded, just as their first intentions to behave and please the adults around them did.

God notices the glorious joy of new Christians. Luke 15:7 speaks of the rejoicing in heaven when a sinner repents. The parables of Jesus in Luke 15 speak of the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Lost Son. In each case, the “finding” of these brings great celebration.

God also notices when the attitude of that one who once took great joy in the early relationship with Him drops off to a routine, or to a forgotten “experience” at summer camp, or to a no-longer-remembered particularly blessed time of the Spirit’s movement in a congregation.

In the Book of Revelation, Jesus speaks through the exiled John on the island of Patmos to the Seven Churches of Asia Minor (the land now occupied by Turkey). In each instance, He commends them for various aspects of their faith. Then, He also speaks bluntly about those things that distress Him.

In Revelation 2:2, 4-5, He speaks to the church in Ephesus with these words:

“I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance…Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first.”

I often wonder, if John wrote to report Christ’s pronouncements to our current churches, what would he write? Perhaps Jesus would say:

“You share your love with the less fortunate, and I like that. But, some of you work out of obligation, rather than from your hearts.”

Or:

“I enjoy the fellowship and worship in this place. But, I don’t see you sharing with others the gospel of Christ.”

Or:

“You have endured great suffering. But, You don’t pray like I’d wish you to pray.”

Now, translate this from a church setting to your personal relationship with the Savior. Has the personal bond you once had with Him faded?

What does Jesus, through John, offer as a remedy for this lost first love? He says:

“Remember the height from which you have fallen and repent. Do the things you first did.”

Remember… Repent… Do…

Has your love for Christ and His church faded from the glowing beginning that you once experienced when first you came to a saving knowledge of Him? I urge you to prayerfully remember when You first experienced the glorious awareness of His deep love for you. Repent of your “backsliding” and begin again to do those things that pleased Him so much and gave you so much joy. Don’t let the “Son”-shine fade!