My First Love

Last Sunday, Randall taught our Sunday School class. I was so sad that Kim and Ken had to leave early, and Ted and Kelly weren't there, because it was so good!! Or maybe it was just especially good to me because that's what I've been praying about all week anyway and was prepared. Anyway, it was a great lesson. (Speaking of that, we need to find some place to go this Sunday morning, since Ken's teaching and we try not to be there on those weeks....) Just kidding! :) We seriously have the best group of teachers in the world!

Anyway, last Sunday Randall taught out of Revelation 2. Verses 2-5 say this:
(to the church at Ephesus) I know what you do, how you work hard and never give up. I know you do not put up with the false teachings of evil people. You have tested those who say they are apostles but really arent, and you've found that they are liars. You have patience and have suffered troubles for my name and have not given up. (v4) But I have this against you: You have left the love you had in the beginning. So remember where you were before you fell. Change your hearts and do what you did at first. If you do not change, I will come to you and will take away your lampstand.

We talked about our actions, and how much of what we do, we do because we are Christians. Quiet time? Check. Prayer? Check. Teach your children Bible stories and songs before bed tonight? Check.

Except...I remember when I took up those disciplines. At that time, it wasn't because I had my list of Christian rules to follow and things to do before bed at night. It was because I was so in love with the Lord who pursued me and took all of my junk onto Himself and gave me...Him. I haven't forgotten life before that, and I haven't forgotten the gratitude of every day since.

But I have grown stale. How long has it been since my heart was truly broken for other people in the world? That's what struck me the other night when we were in the hospital with Kaela and I could hear other parents on the verge of abuse with their sick child because he wanted to be held...and I remembered. There is a whole world out there, outside of my school building (and inside it, too!), outside of my little circle of daily life, that is perishing. And I'm stale. And that's pitiful.

Someone in our class mentioned that the greatest commandment is to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength," and not "keep the commandments," or "be nice to your neighbors," and we talked about why the greatest commandment is just to love the Lord. It sounds so simple, but I know even just for me that my own witness is not ever silent when I remember how much He loved me, and how much I love Him for that very reason. When I get silent is when I tend to treat my Christianity as something to check off on my to-do list. Not very salty, huh?

So that's my prayer this week. Letting my lamp shine. When I'm tired, when I'm grumpy, when I'm impatient, and when I feel like it.
"Peter, do you love me?"
I do, Lord. I really do. Help me to be motivated to act accordingly, and to see people the way you see them.