“But I have this against you: You do not love Me as you did at first. Think about where you have fallen from. Turn from your sins. Do the kind of things you did at first…”
— Revelation 2:4–5 NLV

There are moments in my spiritual journey when I’ve found myself drifting—not all at once, but gradually, subtly, and dangerously. Life gets busy. Responsibilities increase. Distractions multiply….again. And before realizing it, my once-burning passion for Christ that’s been rekindled again and again and even again has grown dim….again! I’ve been going through the motions, still doing “church things,” but without the same love, joy, or fervency. That’s where I find myself now saying Ooops, I Did It Again.

The words of Christ to the church in Ephesus strike painfully close to home. This was a church known for hard work, endurance, and doctrinal soundness. Yet Jesus pierced through the appearance of spiritual health to reveal a sobering truth: “You do not love Me as you did at first.” These words are not just a critique. They are a call. A call to remember. A call to repent. A call to return. A call to do better. A call to re-focus.

Like the Ephesian church, I didn’t wake up one day and decide to neglect my relationship with God. It happened gradually. Prayer became occasional, often falling asleep during this sacred time. Bible reading turned into duty rather than delight. Worship was more performance than presence. My mind was preoccupied, my heart distracted, and my body and soul both tired. Though I never stopped believing, I had stopped loving God with that early, passionate devotion.

The fire I once had—the one that made me wake up early to pray, that caused tears to fall during worship, that moved me to share Christ boldly had cooled. And now I hear Jesus saying to me what He said to Ephesus: “Turn from your sins. Do the kind of things you did at first.”

Revelation 2:5 gives us a clear path forward. It begins with remembering. This means intentionally recalling how it felt to walk closely with Jesus, to be in awe of His grace, to find joy in His presence. It’s remembering those early days of faith when nothing mattered more than being in His presence and pleasing Him.

Next comes repentance. Not just feeling guilty but completely turning around and going in the other direction; a change of both mind and direction. True repentance goes beyond emotions. It results in renewed actions and attitudes that reflect a heart that loves God first and most.

Jesus says, “Do the kind of things you did at first.” Love must be expressed. Just as a rekindled relationship involves spending time, communicating, and putting in effort, so does my walk with God. Reigniting my love for Christ means choosing daily to prioritize Him, not because I must, but because I desire to love Him with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength.

I must faithfully begin again and not beat myself up but realize I have yet another opportunity and with determination make the most of it. It is in moments of dryness and spiritual forgetfulness, that God reminds me that He has always been faithful. And the beauty of it all is because He is a powerful Lover of my soul, I am not disqualified. I am not discarded. I am not forgotten. He still wants me. He still forgives me. His mercy reaches deeper than my failure, and His love burns stronger than my wandering. He is not only calling me back but He is also waiting for me! With arms wide open, with relentless Grace, with a heart full of love, He invites me to return not just for a moment, but to remain, realizing that rekindling a healthy relationship with Him is not a one-time emotional moment. It’s a lifestyle of daily devotion. It means setting aside distractions, cutting off complacency, and living with intentional focus on Jesus. It means spending time in the Word, praying not just to ask for things, but to know His heart. It means loving others with the same selfless love He has shown me. Because He is faithful, I can begin again. I can have another chance to get it right. And this time, I will try my best to stay anchored in love, rooted in Grace, and devoted to the One who never stopped loving me. This time, I am not staying where I fell. I’m rising, repenting, and returning to the One who loved me first, and best. And just in case we are in the same boat, I’ll pray for you and you pray for me and lets us together watch God change things!

By the way, I’m no expert, but I know one thing for sure – God loves you and He loves me too. Blessing!

The Urgency of Slowing Down by Laura L. Smith is a great read providing

“Biblical wisdom for everyday renewal.”