To Move Forward, Sometimes You Have to Go Back

We think that going back means we lose progress, but in the Kingdom of God, this is not necessarily true. The exhortation giving to the church of Ephesus is a great example. "Nevertheless, I have this against you, that you have left your first love." Revelation 2:4 From the outside, the church of Ephesus had everything going on. They were the growing and productive body of believers. They manifested church success in so many ways. Yet at the same time, Jesus needed to address an issue of the heart. They left “first love” living. The foundation was cracked. So, the remedy that Jesus provided still echoes today. Go back. Get back to the precept you either forgot or skipped over. Turn and go back to the beginning. "Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works...." Revelation 2:5 Pretty strong words, but that’s what Jesus always delivers. He cuts past what most people focus on and He dives right into the heart, while loving you throughout it all with undying affection and grace. This strikes many in uncomfortable ways, because they are not used to being simultaneously loved and disciplined. Jesus is shaking our hearts for what matters most--a heart fully alive to Him. If you read through this exhortation and feel you need to do more tasks and engage more religious activity, you missed the entire point. Heart connection is not about performance, it’s about relationship cultivation, where you guard the value of receiving and living from the refreshment of loving connection with your Creator. To dive deeper, get The Heart Healing Journey: https://markdejesus.com/the-heart-healing-journey-book/