First Love

“There’s no love like the first.” ~ Nicholas Sparks

Do you remember the first time you fell in love? Anna Godbersen describes the first stab of love as a sunset, “a blaze of color— oranges, pearly pinks, vibrant purples…” We talked about love at our recent leadership
retreat and our moderator asked, “What does love smell like?” She wasn’t referring specifically to First Love, but I think it still fits: love smells like fresh baked bread.

First love feels like a warm blanket or a lingering embrace. Love sounds like an animated conversation or a  quiet whisper. When you think of First Love, what do you see, or hear, or smell? When you think of first love,  do you think about your love for Jesus?

One of my favorite music groups when I was in high school was the group Petra. I loved their song entitled “First Love.”

Sometimes I feel I’m pulled
in so many wrong directions. 
Sometimes I feel
the world seducing my affections.
It’s not that I don’t know the
way, it’s just a heart that’s
prone to stray.
But with my weaknesses
admitted, You will keep all
that I’ve committed.
So I commit my heart to You
my first love.

First love, first love, my soul longs after You.
First love, my first love
and I want my heart to stay so true.
Because You first loved me,
Jesus, You will always be,
You will always be my first love.

Do you ever feel like you have lost your love for Jesus? Sometimes I do. I hear Jesus inviting me to rediscover my first love.

It’s taken me some time to try to comprehend. 
A love that doesn’t change,
a love without an end.
A love that keeps forgiving,
a love of sacrifice and giving.
I delight myself in You my first love. 

The Lord be with you,
Pastor Kent