Everyday Shuffle

Are you tired of plodding through life? Like a plane on ‘automatic pilot,’ our prayers can be repetitive, predictable and even humdrum as we go through the motions. Do you ever wonder if God really hears your prayers? The remedy could be as simple as admitting un-confessed sin. Think about how it felt when you first found out how much God loved you! It’s good to be reminded of His presence protecting us even when we were not seeking Him. 3 John 1:9 says, “We love because he first loved us.”

Saul of Tarsus met God on the road to Damascus. Struck down by a bright light, as he was flat on his face the powerful voice of God asked, “Saul, Saul why do you persecute me?” (Acts 9:4, NIV). Literally blinded by the experience, God’s love touched Saul’s hardened heart. Saul received spiritual insight and began to preach about the amazing love of God.

Encounters like Saul’s Damascus road experience are rare, but first love encounters with God need not be. When we revisit, remember and return to the passion of our first love, it renews our minds and revives our hearts.

Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. – Revelation 2:4

This ‘first love’ truth is meaningful and penetrates even the darkest season of disappointment or loss. Blitz was my favorite family pet. At sixteen pounds and sixteen-years-old, this beautiful pure white cat and I survived many trials. Blitz was the king, the tom-cat of the neighborhood, who always defended our home turf and actually won the cat fights he started. I often joked he had more than nine cat lives; he must have had at least fifteen.

I remember about twelve years ago, during the sweet days after my chemotherapy sessions he never left my side as I endured the horrible side-effects. During the season of re-entering life after Pastor Paul’s sudden promotion to heaven, Blitz cuddled, played and purred on my lap when I needed it most. My loyal furry friend passed away very suddenly last month. Although I am comforted by my memories, I must wade through my grief. Over and over, God has reminded me of His presence, even through my loss.

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. – 1 John 4:18

Two years ago, I was haunted by feelings of dark depression and pointless drudgery before, during and after my dad’s funeral services. Although these feelings were very normal and a necessary part of the grief process, it helped when in desperation, I went to God. Shaking and hysterical with grief, I wailed and looked up, I turned my eyes to the heavens, opened my hands and poured out my aching, broken heart to God. I expected to be refilled by Him. He reminded me: “I am your first love.” If in the midst of any stage of grief, issue with a friend or a disappointment about an unmet need, I think about my Heavenly Father’s love, it encourages me that He is waiting to be restored to First Place. And all I have to do is ask.

“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” – Jeremiah 33:3

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love for us. Even when we were on the run from You, You sought us and captured us with Your grace. Thank You for offering us new hope through Your Son’s sacrifice. Would You restore our passion and would You return us to the state of our ‘first love?’ Thank You. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

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