Fast Day 2
Mountain of Influence: Religion
Day 2 – Repent
Revela/on 2:4-5
'But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Therefore, remember from where you have fallen, and repent, and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and I will remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. '
I still remember when I first met my wife, Misti at Fort Riley, Kansas some 27 years ago. I remember our first date too. I gave her yellow roses and we stole away to Abilene, singing Maranatha! praise songs, eating Dairy Queen ice cream and just enjoying one another. In fact, at one point while driving I was so occupied with Misti I almost turned on to the exit ramp to enter the interstate. I was smitten. We both were. From then on, we were always together. Almost three decades, eight states, five kids and four dogs later we’ve built our marriage and our life doing things intentionally. Together.
Imagine if our commitment to one another fizzled. We may still be married and fulfilling our responsibilities, but what about romance? The relationship? Gone. Instead of intimate friends we would have become roommates. We’re doing all of the “right things” but are we really together? Do we really know each other anymore or have we forgotten our first love?
Now, switch roles—as Christians, has our relationship with Jesus fizzled? We’re still doing all of the right things: we still go to church and Life Group, we give and serve. We may still read the Bible and pray, but is our relationship with Jesus gone? There may be a form of godliness, but not true relationship with God. It’s all religious obligation. At best Jesus is just our roommate.
God says when this happens, we have left our first love. Ask God, “Am I going through the motions? Have I forgotten Jesus?” If so, let’s repent and renew our love. Jesus is waiting.
Your Turn
Prayer:
Father forgive us for forgetting our first love. Remind us of when we first gave our lives to You. Jesus, I want to do life with you. Daily. Intimately. Together.
Fast Thoughts:
What does it mean to be smitten with Jesus? Can others tell you’re in love?
Song: