New Love

“Go and shout this message to Jerusalem. This is what the LORD says: “I remember how eager you were to please me as a young bride long ago, how you loved me and followed me even through the barren wilderness.” (Jeremiah 2:2)

I love when people make up their own wedding vows. Jamie’s vows on our wedding day were super sweet and kind. Tear-jerker status. My vows were more humorous. I remember telling him, “I’ll follow you wherever, even into the depths of the Rindge Walmart.” If you’ve ever seen the pajama-clad, slipper-wearing shoppers in our Walmart, you know what I’m talking about. 

Jeremiah the prophet spoke these words to the people of Judah. He was pleading with them to turn from their sinful ways. The novelty of wanting to please God had worn off, and so they had turned away from God. At the beginning, they were like a new bride eager to love and please their husband. But now, they were being disobedient. 

Jamie and I are going on seven years of marriage and I understand that some days it’s a choice to love. When the novelty, or the newness, wears off, like the people of Judah, it’s easy to slip into routine and put in very little effort with the one I love.  And likewise, we often treat God the same way.

Israel was initially full of faith and obedience and followed Moses into the wilderness, but then their obedience and will began to wane.   How are about you?  Does God remain your first love?  Are you still willing to risk it all for Him or have you grown complacent as routine kicks in and steals the wonder of His love?