Happy Anniversary - October
17, 2001
This Saturday Pam and I will celebrate our 11th
wedding anniversary. Unlike many years in the past when I
have scheduled concerts on our special day, this year we
are taking the whole weekend off to return to our
Honeymoon spot for a much deserved vacation. Eleven years
doesn't seem long compared to the couples we see weekly
who have spent 40, 50, and 60 years together, but it is
still an accomplishment. Our marriage, like any marriage,
has had it's share of both good and difficult times, but
it has been successful for two reasons. First, our
marriage is grounded on God, and second...we work at it!
A fire will die to ashes if you don't continually work to
keep it burning. That is true of a physical fire as well
as the fire of romance toward another person or the fire
of devotion toward God.
There are many books on rekindling your marriage, but
how about the other relationship in your life? Do you
feel the fire of excitement in your relationship with
God, or has your spiritual life grown rather cold and
lifeless? If your fire of devotion isn't burning as
bright as it once did, it may be because you have left
your first love. This was the problem with the church at
Ephesus in Revelation 2. God gives some practical to that
church that can help you rekindle your passion as well.
In verse 5 He says, "Remember the height from which you
have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first."
Here are three steps to get you back on track:
1. Remember... Remember what you were like
before you knew God and all He has brought you through
since then.
2. Repent... Look for those areas of disobedience
in your life and turn away from them and back toward
God.
3. Return... Return to doing what you did when your
love for God was fresh and new, when every new day was
another chance to experience His goodness and you
couldn't wait to tell everyone what He had done for
you.
You see, it's a matter of focus. You must take the
time to once again put God first. Every time that Pam and
I have struggled in our marriage over the years, it was
because we let ourselves get too busy to take time for
each other. Have you become too busy for God? Before
things get completely out of control, take some time to
put your First Love first.
