J.S. Park

Confusing Nostalgia With First Love: You’re Growing More Than You Think

A lot of preachers tell you, “Remember when you first came to Jesus? Remember how awesome that was? Wasn’t there a time when you were more spiritually high than today? And look at you now.”

I understand what they’re saying. They always quote Revelation 2:4-5, because that’s a scary book with a scary name with scary verses. What they mean is: You’ve grown cold to this whole thing, it’s become a routine to pray and praise, you’ve seen all the Christmas plays and Easter revivals, you’re getting jaded to the dress-your-best on Sunday thing. So get back to where you were.

Wasn’t there a time when you were more spiritually high than today?

Well — of course. But that’s a dumb question, graded on a dumb scale, assuming dumb emotions are equivalent to “first love.” We can look back on the glory days of Sunday school and call that legit, but a lot of times we’re confusing childlike faith with childish feelings.

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