Revelation Chapter 2: Verses 3-5 (NLT)
“You have patiently suffered for me without quitting. But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first. Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches.”
The church in Ephesus endured great hardship and suffering, and Jesus commended them for that. But it seems that they were a bit battle hardened. They were so focussed on getting through those hardships that they had taken their eyes away from Jesus. The attitude of our hearts when we do things for Jesus is more important than the work itself. If we feel stressed or under pressure when we are doing something, even if its for Jesus, that’s not God’s intention. The tasks we do, and their importance in our daily life, should never take over our lives. As Christians, God wants His place as number one in our lives. When everything is in its proper place, we will never feel pressured or stressed. God only ever has our best intention at heart.
Dear God,
I am grateful that You never push us too hard. Help me not get too caught up in doing good works at the expense of my relationship with You. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.