Have You Forgotten Your First Love?

How long has it been since you stepped outside of your business and looked back at it? How long since you assessed how well you are integrating your Christian faith into your business? Are you pleased with the progress you are making? Do you feel Jesus would give you (mostly) good marks for your results at this point?

Good Self-Assessment

Over the past six months, I have had multiple opportunities to do this very thing. Of course, I was pretty critical of our progress in many areas. In other areas, I felt like we were doing a fairly good job.

According to some friends and customers comments, it appears we are indeed building the “Christian business” reputation that we have worked toward for years. Clearly there are areas for improvement and growth. At the same time, I have been pleased with what I have seen when looking in from the outside.

I have received very positive comments about our chaplain program from employees and their family members. People have come to me with praise for our practice of putting a Bible in every vehicle we sell. Customers thank me often for the up-front and honest selling process we have. They also like the Christian music playing in the background!

Room For Celebration?

You likely have similar examples of what you are doing right. Sure, we all have hiccups and times when we get off course. But, when we take an objective look at where we are versus where we have been, there is room for celebration!

In fact, I was reading a passage recently that kind of parallels my thinking on this subject. As I read along, I felt I could identify with what was being said about another organization in the passage.

Let’s take a look at the passage. See if it resonates with you:

I know your works, your labor, and your endurance, and that you cannot tolerate evil. You have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and you have found them to be liars. You also possess endurance and have tolerated many things because of My name and have not grown weary.
Revelation 2:2-3

Does It Resonate?

What do you think? These are the words of Jesus as told to John in the book of Revelation. In this passage, Jesus is describing the church at Ephesus. If these were instead Jesus’ words being used to describe your business, how would you feel?

Would you be proud to hear these words spoken about you or your business? I think many of us would be excited to hear Jesus say these things about us or our businesses. As I read this passage, I clearly drew parallels to our business. I felt pretty good.

That is until I kept reading.

Here is what follows:

But I have this against you: You have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember then how far you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. Otherwise, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place — unless you repent.
Revelation 2:4-5

All For Nothing?

Wow. As I read this, I began to reassess my progress. I began to wonder if all I had just celebrated was for nothing. Am I really doing well or am I fooling myself? My questions came quicker than my answers. You may have experienced something similar.

Here is what I have concluded. Jesus celebrated with the church at Ephesus. He did not just criticize them for abandoning their first love. He praised them for what they were doing well. In fact, he went right back to some praise after this chastising.

We can therefore celebrate without being in trouble. There is nothing wrong with celebrating our progress…as long as we do not begin to think we “have arrived.” We can praise our team for those results which are good.

First Love Abandoned

At the same time, Jesus got extremely serious when He criticized the church at Ephesus for abandoning their first love. He was not pointing out a minor shortcoming. His language was too strong for that.

No, Jesus was questioning their entire motive. He effectively said they were doing a good job, but there motives were all wrong. They were too busy “doing” and not spending enough energy “loving” Him.

Re-Assess

So, now what does your assessment look like? Have you abandoned the first love you had for Jesus when you first gave your life to Him? Have you drifted into a groove of “doing” Christian business and life rather than “being” in love with Him?

In my next posts, we are going to dig a little deeper into this idea of our first love. While it is my nature to take action and “do” something, I think it is critical for us to stop and think about “Why” we are doing it. I hope you will join me.

How was your initial assessment of your business?

Do you see signs of abandoning your first love?

What do you think needs to change?