Addressing the Ephesian church, Jesus said: ‘I know everything you have done, including your hard work and how you have endured. I know you won’t put up with anyone who is evil… You have endured and gone through hard times because of Me, and… not given up. But I do have something against you! And it is this: You don’t have as much love as you used to. Think about where you have fallen from… then turn back and do as you did at first.’ (Revelation 2:2–5 ^CEV)

Think back to your early days as a Christian. Remember how excited you got when you talked about the Lord. Remember how you spent time each day in prayer, and left His presence strengthened. You couldn’t get enough of His Word. It was filled with fresh insights that thrilled your soul and challenged you to go deeper with Him. You never missed an opportunity to talk to others about the Lord. Your walk with Him was consistent, fulfilling, and the pivotal point of your life.

What happened? Have you reached the same point in your life as the Ephesian Christians Jesus was speaking to? If so, understand that God won’t interrupt your busy schedule or accelerate His pace to catch up with you. No, you must slow down in order to get back in step with Him. He can’t be conveniently fitted into the framework of your complicated life; you must choose to put Him first, and keep Him there.

Today the Lord may be speaking these words to you: ‘Think about where you have fallen from… then turn back and do as you did at first.’