When First Love Fades: God Didn’t Move, You Did

There’s a unique kind of passion that comes with the first time—the first time you love someone or something. It’s intense. Consuming. Intentional. 

Let’s take a walk down memory lane…

Remember How It Used to Be?

Think about that new bag you once bought—how careful you were with it. You never dropped it. You didn’t place it on the floor. You handled it with care because it was new and precious.

Or your first car. Every stain had to be wiped off immediately. You checked the oil and water like clockwork. You followed the manual because you didn’t want anything to go wrong.

How about your first love for your partner?

You didn’t want to lose sight of that person. Their desires became your priorities. Their smile was your mission. Love felt effortless because you were all in.

Now, let’s go deeper—how about when you first gave your life to Christ?

It was a heavenly moment—like walking hand-in-hand with God. You despised sin. You were sensitive to the Spirit. You longed for His presence and devoured His Word. Your heart burned for Him.

But… how about now?

When the Flame Fades

Do you still treat that bag or car the same? Is your relationship still filled with sacrifice and joy? And most importantly—how is your walk with God?

Has it become conditional—only active when you feel spiritual? Have you been running on past encounters instead of pursuing new ones? Is it just flickers now… instead of a steady flame?

The hard truth is this: Everlasting love isn’t built on emotion. It’s built on intention.

It’s nurtured through structure, consistent effort, investment of time and a conscious choice to value what you love.

What Changed?

At first, loving God felt easy. Fresh. Exciting. But eventually, that “first love” becomes tested. Not because it’s fake—but because real love must grow roots. And in that process, a painful truth may emerge: Other things now have more value to you than God does.

The Apostle Paul reminds us in Romans 12:2 (NIV):

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind...”

Yes, you received Christ at salvation. But that doesn’t mean your experience remains alive without renewal. No matter how original a shoe is, if you keep wearing it without maintaining and cleaning it, it'll surely experience wear and tear. If no one has told you, let me tell you now: It’s time for a renewal.

You keep looking back to that moment when you first encountered Him, but He’s asking, “What about now?”

We are supposed to press deeper—not dip in and pull out.

So what’s the solution?

Go Back to the Start

Revelation 2:4–5 (NIV) says:

“Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first…”

The way back is the way in.

Go back to prayer time.

Go back to studying the Word.

Go back to singing for no reason but to honor Him.

Go back to sitting still just to hear Him whisper.

Only this time, add structure.

Life can be busy—but what holds the most value must be prioritized. Create a rhythm. Give God the first and best of your time.

And remember: it doesn’t have to be perfect. Aside from your dedicated alone moments with God, you can also pray while working, walking, or eating. You can reflect on Scripture anywhere. That’s what “pray without ceasing” really means—constant communion.

Continue to Behold

2 Corinthians 3:18 (AMPC) says:

“…[as we] continue to behold… we are constantly being transfigured into His very own image...”

There’s a difference between looking and beholding.

You've stopped beholding, you're now looking. Looking is a quick or casual glance—something you do momentarily without much focus and you can forget easily.

Beholding is deeper—it means to gaze intently and consistently, often with reverence or love. Beholding leads to transformation because it involves fixing your heart and eyes on something (or Someone) with intentionality. That’s what God is inviting you into again.

It’s Time to Return

This is your call to revive your first love. Not with guilt, but with grace. Not by striving, but by beholding.

Let your love for God no longer be defined by memories, but by a fresh encounter.

He’s waiting.