"But I have this {one charge to make} against you: that you have left (abandoned) the love that you had at first {you have deserted Me, your first love}. Remember then from what heights you have fallen. Repent {change the inner man to meet God's Will} and do the works you did previously {when you first knew the Lord}, or else I will visit you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you change your mind and repent."
Revelations 2:4-5
How does losing sight of your first love happen anyway? As believers we get in the Word, pray to our Savior, worship and praise Him...but after a while if we aren't careful He can lose the spot as "first love".
For me, it started earlier this year. It seemed as though every minute was consumed with wedding details. Making arrangements to meet with the caterer, making appointments with the venue, contacting and setting details with the photographers, premarital counseling, picking out the right dress, groomsmen attire, John's attire, decorations, the list goes on and on...all the while doing my best to stay focused at work, selling my house, spending as much family time as possible knowing that I would be moving in a short 4 months and trying remain sane ;). I would still manage to spend time with the Lord, but it was evident to me that those mornings where I would get lost in His Word in the secret place were replaced with hitting the snooze and trying to make it through the daily stresses of life. I thought after the wedding it would definitely get back to normal, but it didn't. Before I knew it I was waking up in a life that didn't feel like my own. New last name, new state, new church...everything in my life that I knew as my constant wasn't anymore. I was so sad and then felt guilty about feeling sad. Surely God was disappointed in me for not being appreciative to the latest blessings He had brought to my life. After a month or so of not having a teaching job, I got a call for an interview and got a new teaching position. The busyness of life overhhelmed me again. Not to mention being consumed with the social networks that without even knowing it robbed me of quality time with those that were actually sitting in front of me and stole my peace of my mind a lot of the time.
Now one thing I know to be a constant in my life is that I am a "Daddy's Girl" to my core. Some of my favorite memories as a girl would be waiting for my Dad to pick me up from my Granny's house and running as fast as my little legs would take me to be caught up in his arms. I love my Dad with a love unlike any other and I believe God has given me that as a gift. When he hurts, I hurt. When he smiles, I smile (which is a lot, because he's the biggest goof there is!) I love just to be in his presence. I soak in and cherish our time together.
As God showed me Revelations 2:4-5 this morning I realized that not out of duty, but out of a love for my Heavenly Father I need to return to my first love and do the "works I did previously."
Oh Heavenly Father, I repent for letting earthly things that will eventually fade away get in the way of an intensely intimate relationship with You. My Father, empower me to live according to Your Will and not be distracted by the enemy and his tactics. May I be a shining light for You, for Your glory, for Your Kingdom. I pray Lord that Your Will be done as it is in Heaven through my life. You are my God, You are my King, You are my Daddy. May I hurt when you hurt and smile when you smile. May I soak in and cherish every moment we share together. Lord I pray I would run into your arms and be caught in Your grace daily. Thank you for always drawing me back to You. You are so gracious and I love with You with every ounce of who I am. I thank You for my earthly father that ultimately illustrates how intimate our relationship can be. With all my love...
In Jesus' Name
Amen
For me, it started earlier this year. It seemed as though every minute was consumed with wedding details. Making arrangements to meet with the caterer, making appointments with the venue, contacting and setting details with the photographers, premarital counseling, picking out the right dress, groomsmen attire, John's attire, decorations, the list goes on and on...all the while doing my best to stay focused at work, selling my house, spending as much family time as possible knowing that I would be moving in a short 4 months and trying remain sane ;). I would still manage to spend time with the Lord, but it was evident to me that those mornings where I would get lost in His Word in the secret place were replaced with hitting the snooze and trying to make it through the daily stresses of life. I thought after the wedding it would definitely get back to normal, but it didn't. Before I knew it I was waking up in a life that didn't feel like my own. New last name, new state, new church...everything in my life that I knew as my constant wasn't anymore. I was so sad and then felt guilty about feeling sad. Surely God was disappointed in me for not being appreciative to the latest blessings He had brought to my life. After a month or so of not having a teaching job, I got a call for an interview and got a new teaching position. The busyness of life overhhelmed me again. Not to mention being consumed with the social networks that without even knowing it robbed me of quality time with those that were actually sitting in front of me and stole my peace of my mind a lot of the time.
Now one thing I know to be a constant in my life is that I am a "Daddy's Girl" to my core. Some of my favorite memories as a girl would be waiting for my Dad to pick me up from my Granny's house and running as fast as my little legs would take me to be caught up in his arms. I love my Dad with a love unlike any other and I believe God has given me that as a gift. When he hurts, I hurt. When he smiles, I smile (which is a lot, because he's the biggest goof there is!) I love just to be in his presence. I soak in and cherish our time together.
As God showed me Revelations 2:4-5 this morning I realized that not out of duty, but out of a love for my Heavenly Father I need to return to my first love and do the "works I did previously."
Oh Heavenly Father, I repent for letting earthly things that will eventually fade away get in the way of an intensely intimate relationship with You. My Father, empower me to live according to Your Will and not be distracted by the enemy and his tactics. May I be a shining light for You, for Your glory, for Your Kingdom. I pray Lord that Your Will be done as it is in Heaven through my life. You are my God, You are my King, You are my Daddy. May I hurt when you hurt and smile when you smile. May I soak in and cherish every moment we share together. Lord I pray I would run into your arms and be caught in Your grace daily. Thank you for always drawing me back to You. You are so gracious and I love with You with every ounce of who I am. I thank You for my earthly father that ultimately illustrates how intimate our relationship can be. With all my love...
In Jesus' Name
Amen
Shauna, Your Testimony is Beautiful.... Thank you for being open and honest with Your Walk with God.... Freedom is what comes when we share our Struggles..... God Loves Us and wants us to be Free. I know He is Smiling at You and Loving that more Shauna Shows are coming His Way in the Mornings.... I know i enjoy them!! I Love You With All My Heart Precious Baby... Your Mama
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