My bible study companions and I have been looking at the book, “Letters to the Church,” by Francis Chan, which naturally has us looking in Revelation at the letters to the churches. When looking at Revelation 2:4, I wonder … how did this happen?
But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first!
REVELATION 2:4 NLT
Lack of Love
It seems obvious if I am content to stay where I am, complacency steps in. As time passes, my level of love and commitment to my Lord fades. If I am never growing closer to the One I say my soul loves, our intimacy will diminish. Loving my brothers and sisters in Christ less will be a result of my spending less time with the Lord.
This is a danger because the world offers so many things to capture my attention. I can quickly forget about my commitments, both to the Lord and to others, even when I have the best of intentions.
It’s kind of a rule: if you are not advancing, you’re retreating. There’s no neutral ground.
If you are complacent, you are satisfied with yourself, content to remain at the level you are in your walk with Christ.
CLAIMING YOUR PROMISED LAND, PART 1
Rekindle by Remembering
How can I stir up my love? By remembering the One I love and all we share. He’s my Rescurer, my Provider, My Shepherd, my Advocate, and the Lover of my Soul – just to name a few things! He’s a good, good Father and He has blessed me many times.
Flourishing Faith Fuels Love
When I’m consumed with loving Him, it stands to reason my faith will grow resulting in an overflow of love to both the Lord and those around me.
Dear brothers and sisters, we can’t help but thank God for you, because your faith is flourishing and your love for one another is growing.
2 THESSALONIANS 1:3 NLT
My prayer is to spend less time thinking about me and more time thinking about Him.
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This post was written in response to a prompt, “danger,” provided by the 5 Minute Friday community of writers. In the interest of full disclosure, writing the post took 5 minutes but finding illustrations, links, headings and graphics took considerably longer!
This post is also my twenty-second post of examining a life free from the clutter of both wrong thoughts, attitudes, expectations, and too-full calendars, as well as physical clutter. You can click here to see all the links to my series, A Rich and Satisfying Life. You are not living up to the potential of a rich and satisying life if you are stuck in complacency.
This series is part of a Write28Days challenge sponsored by Anita Ojeda. The challenge is now over, but I am still working at the goal of writing 28 times on my subject.
I am also sharing this post with the communities at Grace & Truth, Inspire Me Monday, Tell His Story, InstaEncouragements Link-Up, Let’s Have Coffee, Tune In Thursday
All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy.
Excellent Jerralea, I always view complacency as a subtle shift, one we cannot guard ourselves against too much!
Thanks for pointing that out, Donna. I do definitely think complancency creeps in!
“My prayer is to spend less time thinking about me and more time thinking about Him.”
I also want this to be my prayer. Ypur post reminded me of the Stephen Curtis Chapman song “Magnificent Obsession.” I am your neighbor art Five Minute Friday.
This is everything I want
This is everything I need
I want this to be my one consuming passion
Everything my heart desires
Lord, I want it all to be for You, Jesus
Be my magnificent obsession
Thanks for sharing this song, Jolene! I had not heard it before.
That is the song that came to my mind as I was reading the post 🙂
I appreciate this, Jerralea, “It’s kind of a rule: if you are not advancing, you’re retreating. There’s no neutral ground.” You said it so well, “Remember.” When we remember Him, and seek Him, we will find Him. ~Lisa, FMF #7
Lisa, fence-sitting can be so tempting! But we daily have to choose our destiny. We are on a journey on our way Home.
well said. Complacency sneaks up on us if we don’t think of Him more than we think of ourselves.
Visiting from FMF#14
Thanks for visiting, Kyn. I struggle sometimes with keeping my thoughts “seeking the kingdom first.” I know If I will what I need will be added to me.
This is timely for me. I’ve been thinking on just this quite a bit lately. Thank you for your reminders.
Loved “if you’re not advancing, you”re retreating”-so true, no middle ground!
Neutral ground can feel comfortable…even peaceful. But there is not neutral ground – oh so true! Thanks for the admonition this evening. I’m a bit late reading the FMF posts…but glad I got to yours today!
Thank you Jerralea. Hot or cold but not luke-warm! Nobody wants luke-warm love.
“How can I stir up my love? By remembering the One I love.” Everyday may I remember the One I love, the One who never leaves me, who hears my every word. There really is no middle ground and so I pray for an ever-increasing love for the Lord.