I was thinking this morning about the idea of “Loving God”, especially with respect to loving another human being. All the books I’ve read on relationships, dating and marriage say to expect love to go through phases. The euphoric initial infatuation is like a drug: I remember losing whole chunks of time as I remember a particular moment, a particular hug or kiss, or something that happened. The emotions were like a whirlwind. The fire burned hot and passionate and wild promises can be made at that point. To quote one of my favourite love songs (”I’d die for you” by Bon Jovi):
I’d die for you
I’d cry for you
I’d do anything
I’d lie for you
You know it’s true
Baby I’d die for you
When we come to faith there are moments when our zeal for the Lord mirrors that fierce passion, “I’d die for you / I’d do anything”. Stepping out in faith needs us to take risks - praying for another person can be nice offering them comfort more than asking/expecting God to step in in His soverign power - but if we’re in that early rush of euphoric passion for Christ, would we not be more willing to throw ourselves into risky faith endeavours?
I originally came to faith in May ‘89, fell away for that summer and really came back to grips with the Christian faith in October ‘89 when a good friend of mine (Adam Drury) took a risk. He’d been sitting at the back of the Intervarsity meeting, and I was at the front. At no point had we talked yet at the end he came up and said that a particular verse had been in his head all evening and he wanted to share it:
Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first.— Revelation 2:4-5
The following summers I went on short term mission trips to the Netherlands and Malta. The passion of the “first love” burns hot and I am so thankful that during those weeks of training, evagelism, prayer, study and worship I was challenged and directed by Godly leaders who wanted to channel that passion. I know that I made big promises mirroring the risky, big promises of Bon Jovi’s song - “I’d die for you / I’d do anything” - promises that turned the course of my life toward where it is today. The internal challenge I am feeling, after theological training and years of “growing up” is the echo of Revelation 2. Where is my passion today? More importantly, what temperature is the passion burning at?
If this post raises questions, please leave me a comment. If it raises concerns, please leave me a comment. Please remember though: more is planned to follow - I feel like there’s more to this threat of thinking than this single post alone. Feel free to leave a comment and be involved in the thought process!