Have you ever found yourself wishing you could go back in time? Maybe to a moment when you were younger, carefree, and full of dreams? Or perhaps you’ve wished you could return to a time when you made a different decision, one that would have set your life on a different path? We’ve all had those moments of longing, wanting to go back to when we were happier, more hopeful, and filled with excitement for the future.

But let me ask you this: have you ever wished you could go back to a time when you were in love with Jesus? A time when church made you happy, when every day was filled with thoughts of serving Him, when you couldn’t stop thinking about how you could make a difference for His Kingdom? If you’re honest, you might not have considered that first when I asked the question about going back in time. But why is that? Why do we long for youth, success, or even a chance to undo mistakes, yet rarely long for the spiritual fire we once had?

In Revelation 2:4, Jesus speaks to the church in Ephesus and says, “Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.” Think back to the time when you first gave your life to Jesus. Do you remember the joy, the passion, and the excitement that flooded your heart? It was like nothing else mattered because you had found the greatest treasure. You were eager to tell everyone about Him, and your faith seemed unshakable.

So, what happened? Life, distractions, work, family, struggles, and disappointments can all pull us away from that first love. We don’t mean for it to happen, but over time, our passion fades. We get caught up in the routines of life, and before we know it, Jesus becomes just another part of our schedule instead of the center of our lives. But here’s the good news: we can get that fire back!

In Romans 12:11, Paul writes, “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” God’s Word is clear: our passion for Christ is not meant to be a fleeting experience. It’s meant to last, to grow, and to flourish as we walk with Him. But the reality is, life happens, and sometimes we lose that zeal. We can drift into complacency, and our relationship with Jesus can feel more like an obligation than a joy.

If you’re feeling like that today, if you feel like the fire in your heart has dwindled, you’re not alone. And more importantly, you don’t have to stay there. Jesus is inviting you to return to Him, to rekindle that love, and to be filled once again with the joy and passion you once had.

Jesus told His followers in Matthew 5:14-16, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

We are called to be a light in this dark world. But how can we shine brightly if our spiritual fire has grown dim? When we live passionately for Jesus, that light shines through us, and others are drawn to Him. Imagine if every Christian lived with the same passion for Christ today as they did at their highest spiritual moment. Would the world be in the mess it is today? Would more people come to know Jesus? Would we see revival in our families, churches, and communities? I believe the answer is yes!

Jesus didn’t save us so we could sit on the sidelines. He saved us to be active, engaged, and passionate about sharing His love with others. In Matthew 9:37-38, He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” The harvest is still plentiful, and God is still calling us to be workers in His field. But we can’t effectively work for Him if our hearts aren’t burning with passion for Him.

So, how do we get ourselves back? How do we return to that place where Jesus was our first love, where our days were filled with joy, passion, and a burden for the lost?

1. Repent and Return
   In Revelation 2:5, after Jesus rebukes the Ephesian church for losing their first love, He gives them clear instructions: “Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first.” Repentance is the first step. Acknowledge that you’ve drifted, confess it to God, and ask Him to reignite the fire in your heart. Then, do the things you did at first. Spend time in prayer, study God’s Word, worship, and get involved in serving others. These simple, foundational practices can reignite your love for Christ.
2. Seek God Above All Else
   Jesus reminds us in Matthew 6:33, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Our passion for Christ is directly tied to what we prioritize. If we spend more time focusing on the world than on God, it’s no wonder our spiritual fire fades. Make Jesus your priority. Seek Him first in all you do, and watch how your heart begins to burn with love and passion for Him once again.
3. Renew Your Mind
   Romans 12:2 encourages us, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Our minds are powerful, and what we think about shapes our hearts. If we fill our minds with the things of this world, our passion for Christ will dwindle. But if we renew our minds by meditating on Scripture, spending time in prayer, and surrounding ourselves with godly influences, our passion will be reignited.
4. Stay Connected to the Vine
   In John 15:5, Jesus says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” Staying connected to Jesus is the key to keeping our passion alive. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit unless it’s connected to the vine, we cannot live passionately for Jesus unless we stay connected to Him. Spend time with Him daily, remain in His Word, and lean on Him for strength and guidance.
5. Surround Yourself with Encouragement
   Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” We need community. Surround yourself with people who are on fire for Jesus, who will encourage you, challenge you, and help you grow in your faith. Be part of a small group, attend church regularly, and find friends who will hold you accountable to living passionately for Christ.

If you find yourself longing for the days when your heart burned with love for Jesus, take heart—those days aren’t gone. In fact, the best is yet to come! God is ready and willing to fill you with His Spirit, to reignite your passion, and to use you in ways you can’t even imagine. But it starts with a decision to get yourself back, to return to your first love, and to seek Jesus with all your heart.

Don’t settle for a lukewarm faith. Jesus has called you to a life of passion, purpose, and joy. So, take that first step today. Repent, return, and let the fire of God burn brightly in your heart once again. You won’t regret it!