YOUR FIRST LOVE

Your First Love A young wife writes, “I walk through the crowded corridors of Chicago’s O’Hare Airport. I pass by the faces I’ve never seen before. I push through the crowds towards the Swiss Air gate. I do not dwell on the faces around me. Only one face matters-that of the one who is waiting at my destination, a continent, an ocean, and twenty hours away. I feel the thrust of giant engines as they pull us into the atmosphere. As our flight proceeds, I watch the large video screen where the red arrow charts our progress on a projected map. The arrow moves ever so slowly. Crossing the Atlantic will take forever, I think, as I try to settle in for the night with blanket and pillow. I close my eyes and try to remember his face, his voice, his movements. Sunrise has meaning when it is the day of reunion. All other moments are simply to be endured. At last we land and I head directly to the ticket counter to buy my train pass to Romanshorn. There is but one agenda today. I watch the Swiss landscape. I look at my watch and count the moments. Ten minutes more and I will be with Jon. My heart beats so loudly I’m sure the passenger across from me can hear it. What will Jon be wearing? What will he say? Again and again I picture the moment of reunion, even as the train rushes toward it. Jon is running towards me, arms outstretched, a welcoming bouquet in his hand. There is no longer time to spare or space or distance. The two of us are together.” Such is the love of a young wife and the desire to be with the love of her life. Her story should be our story as Christians. It should describe our love for Christ and our desire to be near to the One who is the supreme love of our life. Or has our love for Christ grown cold? Has the flame died down? When we sing, “No sweeter name but the name of Jesus,” do we still sing from our hearts? Or do we find ourselves merely mouthing the words? Revelation 2:1-7 speaks to us about the church that left her first love. It tells us that it is possible to maintain a commitment to Christian truth and work, while at the same time leaving our first love. I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don't tolerate evil people. You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars. You have patiently suffered for me without quitting. But I have this complaint against you. You don't love me or each other as you did at first! Can our Lord Jesus make this same charge against us? Have we left our first love? The love that is dearest to your heart, the love that should occupy the preeminent place in your soul above all other loves, should be for your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We should desire Christ as the young bride in the story above. If we do not, there is a dangerous consequence. The Lord could remove our effectiveness and testimony to a lost world. Let us not be like the church at Ephesus, but in contrast may we repent and turn our hearts back to our first love! Aaron Hodges