BACK TO YOUR FIRST LOVE: HONESTY AS THE NEXT STEP

“But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first….” – Revelation 2:4-5.

There was once a young woman named Mara who loved mornings. She would wake early, cup of tea in hand, and read her Bible as the sun spilled gold across her kitchen table. Prayer came naturally, worship flowed freely, and every small act of her day seemed touched by God. That was years ago, when her heart was wholly His.

But life, as it often does, crept in. Almost imperceptibly, work deadlines piled up, social obligations multiplied, and little by little, Mara found herself waking to alarms and scrolling through news feeds before opening her Bible. Prayer became a checklist; worship became routine. She still called herself a follower, but her devotion to her first love was diluted.

One evening, after a particularly busy day, Mara sat alone and felt a quiet ache. She remembered those mornings, that first love, and realized something she had avoided for too long: she had drifted, not from guilt, not from rebellion, but from distraction and neglect. Her heart was weary, her devotion was not where it should be.

Returning to God would require honesty. Mara could not pretend she was still fully devoted. She had to admit where she was—her distractions, her failures, her faded passion. She faced her reality without excuses, without masks.

And then, slowly, she turned. She started small: a ten-minute prayer in the morning, reading a single verse with attention, singing with her heart instead of her lips. She reflected on the distractions that had led her astray and intentionally chose new rhythms that pointed her back to God. Each honest step rekindled something in her soul. She discovered that admitting the truth of her wandering heart did not drive God away—it drew Him near.

Weeks later, Mara found herself once again in the quiet morning light, tea in hand, Bible open. But this time, it was different. She had returned—not to the memory of her first love, but to Him Himself. Honest reflection, courageous confession, and intentional turning had restored what she feared was lost. Her devotion was not perfect, but it was real, alive, and vibrant.

Returning to your first love is much like Mara’s journey. It begins with honesty: looking at your heart, naming the ways you’ve wandered, and admitting your need for God’s grace.

Be brave. Look within. Admit the truth of your spiritual journey. God is waiting with open arms, ready to restore what has been lost. The more honest you are with Him about where you are, the more fully your first love can be reignited, and the more vibrant and alive your relationship with Him will become.

Discussion Questions:

1. Self-Reflection: What distractions, habits, or attitudes in your life have quietly pulled you away from your first love with God, and how can you honestly acknowledge them?
2. Practical Steps: What intentional changes or daily practices could help you turn back toward God and reignite the passion you once had?