Love - Reminded, Rekindled and to be moulded

Revelation 2:1-7 (New King James Version)The Loveless Church

1 “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands:

2 “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars;

3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary.

4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.

5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.

6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.”’

2 years back, I embarked on a Sabbatical leave for 3 months. I only attended the Church Services and totally did not get myself involved in serving as my mentor realized that I was actually not growing and am struggling with lots of issues. It is true that with the 3 months of praying, meditation and even fasting helped me to go closer to the Lord.

The passage above was one of the three sets of Scriptures given to help me face the many issues in my life which impeded my growth in the Lord. Indeed if our spiritual life is not right with God, how can we serve effectively? I treasure the mountain-top experience with the Lord especially at that time but it should not have stopped me from continuing seeking Him despite my many responsibilities and hectic schedule from time to time.

During that time and recently, God is still the One who knows all my hard work and learning to be more tolerant towards people and many issues I came across at Church and Christendom. Yes, I have also realized some of the Church-goers are not true believers and found them to be hypocrites (forgive me for me using such a strong word).

Sad enough, in the hustle and bustle of life, on and off I still ignore my first love - the Lord Jesus. I wonder how I could forget those days when I was yet to get my driving license, I faithfully walked to Church and punctually reach Church, and even much earlier than now! It is true what was expound in Deuteronomy 8:11 (New King James Version)

Beware that you do not forget the LORD your God by not keeping His commandments, His judgments, and His statutes which I command you today...

After believing in Christ for some years, I somewhat forget Him! Even though weeks after weeks I come to Church to worship the Lord but my heart might not be there! I must admit that sometimes I am just going through the motions and made it a habit…

Through the Sabbatical leave, I remembered that how previously I was fervent and passionate after God. Believe me when I was still at high school, I was not interested to study. However, ever since I came to the Lord, I am so fascinated by the word of God and spent hours and hours to study it, even when it’s already midnight. My dad would chase me to sleep and I would pretend that I fell asleep. After that, when my dad was asleep, I’ll “wake” up and continue reading it till 3 or 4 am perhaps (if I’m not mistaken). At that time, I almost finished reading the whole Bible, except for the book of Psalms and Proverbs. Not only that, I remembered how fervently I shared Christ with those around me!

Lately I found myself again in the danger of using my own strength to work for the Lord. Yes, Lord, I want to spend my precious waking hours to study Your word and be transformed by Your word. May You revive my love for You and take me, break me and mould me to be the person that You want me to be. Amen.

Footnote: May it be your desire to be close with the Lord, daily spending quality moments with Him and repent from sins too! It is difficult but worth it =D

- Yit Mun

Images taken from:
http://raebear.net/faith/biblestudy/revelation/7churches.php
http://pastorjuan.com/
http://www.tvsa.co.za/default.asp?blogname=JehovaNisiTVSAHomeCellBibleStudyGroup&articleID=11274
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hosanna77/page2/