Returning to First Love
I’m returning to the secret place
Just an altar and a flame
Love is found here
In our sacred space
I hear Your voice, I see Your face
You’re still my first love
You’re still my only one
You’re still my first love
You’re still my only one
As you read those lyrics, what comes alive in your spirit? What touches your heart? In Revelation 2, we find an amazing scripture. A warning and encouragement from Jesus that in all our seeking, praying, and doing in His name, not to forsake the love – the first love – that brought us into relationship with Him.
Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. Revelation 2:4-5, NIV
For years, I had been wanting to write a song around this verse because there’s such a beautiful simplicity to loving who Jesus is. Yes, it’s weighty. There’s a serious tone to Jesus’ words in Revelation 2. But it’s not complicated, which is why the song First Love begins with the heartfelt words “I’m returning to the secret place, just an altar and a flame.”
The day some friends and I wrote it, we took communion and spent time in worship. As we sang and pursued His presence, I saw a vision of a room, and all that was there was an altar and a candle with a flame. It was so sacred. And as I shared that with the other writers, we leaned into that imagery for the song.
It’s my prayer, and I hope it’s yours as well, to never forsake first love.
Though there are seasons and moments we might feel disjointed and divided, weary and tired, may we always return to Jesus. And let’s put aside and put away anything that distracts us from the sacred place with Him.
