Day 5
Routine vs. First Love
Yesterday, we talked about the importance of cultivating an intimate and secret relationship with God, not just a public spiritual appearance. Today, on this final day, we go straight to the heart:
What is fueling your faith today? A routine… or a burning love?
Jesus doesn’t want a relationship based on habit, duty, or schedule. He wants your heart on fire, like the first time you met Him.
In Revelation 2:4, Jesus speaks to the church in Ephesus. An active church, firm in doctrine, tireless in service. Yet amidst all their achievements, He says: “Yet I hold this against you: you have forsaken your first love.”
What could be wrong with a church like that?
They had abandoned their first love.
It’s not that they didn’t love... It’s that they no longer loved like at first.
It’s not that they stopped serving… they served without fire.
It’s not that they drifted away… they grew cold.
And the most striking part is that Jesus doesn’t call them to serve more…
He calls them to return.
"Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the first works." — Revelation 2:5, NKJV
It’s not about doing more… it’s about remembering. Repenting. And returning to what you did when you loved Him passionately.
Take a moment.
Don’t keep reading without first being still and looking inward.
Where is your heart? Is it still on fire? Or are you running on automatic?
Sometimes we become experts in doing… but amateurs in loving.
You can have solid doctrine, a good schedule, effective ministry, a strong testimony—and still have left your first love.
Jesus isn’t demanding your hours or your tasks. He isn’t asking for more effort.
He desires your heart.
Return to the place where love came first. Where a song could break you. Where your altar was in your room, and you didn’t need a stage or microphone.
Maybe today what you need isn’t to do more… but to return.
Return to praying out of love. Return to reading the Bible not to prepare something, but to meet Him. Return to worshiping with tears, not with perfection.
Jesus is knocking at the door of your heart. He wants to reignite what routine has put out.
But only you can open the door.
Let’s pray together:
Jesus, today I hear Your voice calling me back, and I recognize that I drifted away, got busy, and kept walking… but without You. Today I repent. I don’t want to continue this way. I want to return to my first love. To that fire that made me leave everything for You. Revive the fire in me, Jesus. Blow life over the ashes. Ignite my heart again. Today I choose to return to You. I love You, and I want to love You like at first. Amen.
To close:
This devotional ends… but your relationship with God can truly begin today.
Don’t let the fire go out. Feed it.
God bless you.
José Conde Kowal-.
Scripture
Reflection Questions
Have I allowed my relationship with Jesus to become routine—more about habits and duties than passionate love?
What is one way I can intentionally return to my “first love” and rekindle my fire for God this week?
