Passion can be restored when you return to the Source.
There’s something sacred about “first love.” Not just the butterflies or the spark—but the purity of pursuit. The kind that made you rearrange your day just to be close. The kind that didn’t need a reminder to pray, or a push to worship, because your heart longed for Him.
But if you’re honest, maybe that version of you feels like a stranger now.
Maybe the rhythm of life, the heartbreaks, the routine of church without intimacy—dimmed that once-burning flame.
Let’s say it clearly: passion can fade—even for the most faithful. Revelation 2:4 reminds us that it’s possible to “forsake the love you had at first.” And yet, it doesn’t end there.
God’s response isn’t shame—it’s an invitation.
“Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first.”
—Revelation 2:5, NIV
That verse doesn’t call you fake. It calls you back.
Back to the version of you that danced in worship without needing a reason.
Back to the prayers that weren’t perfect but were pure.
Back to the joy that wasn’t about blessings—it was about Him.
A Personal Moment: When My Flame Flickered
There was a season I showed up for ministry but didn’t show up for intimacy. I was praying around God but not to Him. I taught about fire I no longer felt. I knew the words. I had the notes. But not the nearness.
Until one morning, sitting in silence, I said, “Lord, I miss You.” And just like that, something shifted. Not because I preached louder. Not because I studied harder. But because I was honest. And God met me in that honesty.
First Love and Volleyball
I have a real love for volleyball. I’ve played, coached, and watched it for years. It’s been a passion point in my life. One day, someone I cared deeply about—someone I loved—asked me, “Was I your first love?” And I answered, “Volleyball was.”
That response came quickly. And while I didn’t mean it to sting, there was a quiet truth behind it.
Now let me be clear: the love for a sport is not the same as the love for a person. One is about joy and rhythm. The other is about connection, vulnerability, and commitment. But there was something real about the joy I felt every time I thought about the game.
Every time I stepped onto the court, something came alive in me. That spark. That focus. That pull to return.
And it made me pause.
If I could feel that kind of anticipation for a sport…
Why wasn’t I bringing that same eagerness to my time with God?
Why wasn’t I approaching His Word with that same heart?
That question changed everything.
Reading Scripture became less about obligation and more about reunion. I didn’t compare it to volleyball—but I let the joy volleyball stirred in me remind me that joy still had a place in my walk with God. That my love for Him didn’t have to be buried under duty or drowned by distractions.
I just had to return—with honesty and intention.
3 Ways to Rekindle Your First Love
- Return Intentionally.
Schedule sacred space again. Wake up early just to sit with Him. Not for answers—but for presence. - Repent Without Shame.
This isn’t about guilt—it’s about course correction. Repentance is not a punishment; it’s the pathway back into alignment. - Remember What He Already Did.
Reflect on the moments where His love felt loudest. Testimonies are not trophies—they’re reminders.
District Elder & Pastor Harold Robertson, Jr. is a seasoned IT Accounts Manager and spiritual leader who bridges technology and faith to drive innovation in schools, churches, and communities. With certifications in ITIL, Google Workspace, AI, and church administration, he empowers organizations to thrive through strategic tech integration and leadership.
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Pastor Harold Robertson, Jr.
District Elder & Pastor Harold Robertson, Jr. is a seasoned IT Accounts Manager and spiritual leader who bridges technology and faith to drive innovation in schools, churches, and communities. With certifications in ITIL, Google Workspace, AI, and church administration, he empowers organizations to thrive through strategic tech integration and leadership.
