FIRST LOVE

On Saturday, I had lunch with a friend of mine and his brother. I had not seen Michael for a couple of years. We email and talk every once in a while on the phone, but we have not physically been in the same place for a while. I listened intently as he described his life and then how his brother described his. These two grew up in church, sang all the songs, loved spending time in the Word. In fact Michael's brother went to seminary. But both have experienced such harsh situations in life that the response was to give up.

I could lay out a list of reasons that both have chosen a different path but it all comes down to one thing...they have left their First Love. It is so easy to do that as the world and circumstances hit life. We wish it could be so perfect. No one prays asking for trials and tribulations. But that is the very thing that matures us as Christians. Our response to the struggles many times determines how these struggles will manifest themselves in our lives.

Many of you have heard me quote the first part of Colossians 3:4 which says "Jesus, who is our life." When I look at my life...when I really stop long enough to take a hard look at my life, what do I see as my life? Do I see my life defined as Pastor of Worship of Wedgwood Baptist Church? Do I see it defined as a musician? OR...do I see my life as being defined by the name that is above all names, the King of kings, the Lord of lords, the Alpha and Omega, the Ancient of Days, JESUS?

So what is the formula? Is it more Bible Study? Is it more prayer? Is it more time at church? Is it more service? No! Do we need to spend more time in Bible Study, prayer, church, and service...probably! But the one thing that helps define our life as "Jesus" is surrender to brokenness. It changes everything. It draws us to our First Love.

So what is it that keeps us from being broken? Again, I could give you a list, but when it is all said and done it can be defined by one word...pride.

So I leave you with this...have we come to the place where we have received the grace that He gives to the humble?

Just think about it.

pb