About the Author

Karina Allen is devoted to helping women live out their unique calling and building authentic community through the practical application of Scripture in an approachable, winsome manner.

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
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(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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  1. Karina,
    Welcome to the club…we are ALL prone to wander. Yes, I’ve wandered away from my first love many times. It’s not intentional, but more like a gradual slippery slope. While reading your post, I was thinking about how my husband asks me each day, “So, what’s on your schedule today?” I’m quick to jump in with answers like, “Work for the foundation, get some groceries, throw in a load or two of laundry…” I’ve noticed how my first answer hasn’t been, “Spend time with the Lord.” It makes me realize that when I give my day’s agenda, I need to be about spending time with the Lord first – maybe not first in terms of hour of the day, but first in terms of priority. My time with Him needs to be a non-negotiable, not a squeeze it in when I have a few minutes. I think of all the times God has given me forced rest from surgeries, injuries, and illnesses, it’s been in these times that I have really relished soaking in His Word. I know how much I enjoy that time….so why do I/we wander? The enemy sure is crafty in getting us all high and lofty (pride) about all our other accomplishments. I know I need to humble myself and make God and His agenda my first priority. Great post! Thanks for sharing honestly!
    Blessings,
    Bev xx

    • Thank you Bev! Yes! I’m such a doer and when I sit with Him my flesh makes me feel like I’m wasting time. Such a lie!

      Let’s prioritize Him together!

  2. Sadly, even ministry, the acts of service that we perform FOR God can take His place in our hearts. This is my battle, and I’m grateful for the Scripture you shared. “Wholehearted” is such a powerful description of God’s love and commitment to us, and it’s a call back to the seeking that got us where we are today.

  3. I have turned off most of the apps on my phone from 7pm to 5 am. I get up at 4:30 am for time with God and am committed to not using them until I have had my devotions. This has been a huge help!

  4. So, good-and timely! I, too, struggle prioritizing that time to sit in the Word, or in meditation. I am praying often, throughout the day, and that’s fine, but it’s NOT the same as being still with Him. I’ve been at this for quite some time as well, and every now and then I have a conviction to pull it back together—this is it for this go round. 🙂 “Wholehearted” that’s the perfect word for the year! Thank you!

  5. I’m glad I found this today. I mindlessly scroll through social media all day. I throw in a prayer here and there. If God treated me this way…

  6. Thank you, Karina. I have known this for quite some time, but have not made the wholehearted commitment to making this time for just me and Jesus. You have spurred me on to centre on Him above all else. I ‘do’ my devotional readings and journalling, but it’s not the same as just sitting in His Presence, gazing on His lovely face and listening to His heart. Thank you! God bless you.

    • Barbara…I love this…” Gazing on His lovely face and listening to His Heart ” wow..it gave me peace and a smile as I pondered this.
      Each night before bed , I enter into prayer by first…thinking of running to Him As He walks along the ocean beach….then we have 2 way conversation… The sunset on His face is so lovely…and His voice so gentle. He waits for me each night… I anticipate daily what He wants to tell me each night.. I have been a Christian for over 50 years and He always delights my heart. His LOVE never fails . You won’t be disappointed Ted meeting him and listening. ✝

      • Thank you, Cheryl. There was a time when I used to sit with Jesus for just a few minutes, picturing the two of meeting in a wood, listening and talking and sharing. He showed me so much and it was very precious. You’ve encouraged me to do this again.

  7. Ouch:( I’m glad to read the very words the Spirit has been whispering to me also… come on over to the real life source..ME!
    Life happens but so does sin… Christ is the only way to ward it off at daybreak every day.. for me.. what a WONDERFUL SAVIOR, wanting me and you enough to die for us! Praising Him and His faithfulness to us , His children \0/

  8. This is very convicting. As an empty nester whose kid care and now parent care has ended, I am becoming aware that too much freedom of my time can be full of distractions. Being intentional in my time (with God) is challenging even when you suddenly, at last, have more time. Maybe the temptation to do “fun” things is stronger as we lose some of our heaviest responsibilities… like “I have earned my fun time”
    Holy Spirit teach us how to transition in life well, so we don’t fade at the end of the race!
    Thank you for your honest sharing!! We are indeed better together!

    • Amen Holly! That is so good! I can desire to do “fun” things as well, completely forgetting that He is the most FUN, because He is the creator of it!

  9. Thank you for this! I have been struggling with this for a while too. I’ve been dealing with family issues and sometimes I just want to run away from everyone including God. Please pray for me.

    • Praying for you this morning, Megan! May you take that feeling of wanting to run away and turn it into running towards God. He sees you, He is waiting for you.

      “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)

    • Megan,

      Sweet sister! I pray you will run towards God not away. Life down here is hard-especially dealing with family issues. He understands. He knows your pain. Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” He wants to heal your wear heart.

      Blessings 🙂

    • Jesus, capture Megan’s heart. Cultivate an insatiable desire for You and the things of You. Create time in her schedule to just sit and rest in Your presence. Speak life, hope and joy to her soul and peace to her mind. May she run to You and not away from you! You are waiting with open arms.

  10. Oh, Karina. This is so good and so hard and such a timely word for all of us. You explain it perfectly: “Forgetting our first love doesn’t happen overnight. It is a slow fade.” Choosing with you, sister, to establish healthy boundaries in order to give my best to my first love!

    • Thank you for reading and sharing Becky! Yes! It happens and we don’t even notice. Let’s keep each other accountable. He is SO worthy of our best! I love you friend!

  11. What a wonderful message you’ve shared, and truly a most important one, thank you. Since the first of the year I have been choosing to spend mornings with Jesus, our Father and The Holy Spirit, reading devotionals, and writing what they are saying for me. I feel clothed in Him then throughout the day and having
    Him near is comforting, strengthening, and reassuring. I think most of us can say we drift with the way the world presses in, and the tempting distractions that steal our joy and delight with Him. But His arms are always open and He knows our love for Him is held deeply in our heart.
    TRUE LOVE. So yes we may need some adjusting at times for more intimacy but, I don’t believe we ever lose our first love, not if we treasure it.
    And like the lover Jesus is, He is always wooing and pursuing us in His Great unfailing Love. Always and Forever.

  12. Karina,
    I watched a documentary about the Arctic Wolves last night. One poor wolf had her litter taken from her by a rival pack. She then went on to devote herself to care for a litter as a surrogate Mother. The poor girl wasn’t given any adequate food, but yet she continued to feed the young at the cost of her life. Never once did she become distracted, but remained focused, loving, and devoted, demonstrating what true love and devotion are. She taught me a lot, and as much as I hope I’d have it in me, I can’t honestly say that I do. Which confirms to me what you’ve shared. Thank-you for your honesty………..
    have a blessed day all,
    Penny

    You make known to me the path of life, in your presence there is fullness of joy. Psalm 16:11

  13. Karina,

    No one is alone in wandering from God. The writer of Come Thou Fount had issues with leaving God -“Prone to wander Lord I feel it. Prone to leave the God I love.” The problem is two fold. The devil is crafty & lures us into doing tons for God or being busy “with life”. The world also isn’t helping. They say keep going, doing, achieving. There are many things that charm & distract us from God. Some are seemingly good things. I feel this country needs a revival. We need to get back to our fist love of God first, family, self. Spending time with God is about a relationship we once had with Him that has faded. It is about wanting to be with the one who gave His all for us. We are merely human & get so easily distracted. Let’s shut off some of those distractions & spend time with the creator of the universe. He is waiting patiently daily, hourly to talk with us.

    Blessings 🙂

  14. Guilty! THANK YOU for this timely post for me. Stepping out of a ministry left a void easily filled not by social media (because I’ve vowed to stay away from it, knowing how it controls, consumes, and incites) but by news feeds, allowing them to do the very same.

    But God is faithful, gently pointing out the error of my ways and providing a light shining towards that narrow path.

    • I, too have been guilty of allowing other things to distract me before having a quiet time with the Lord. Am going to do my best to not have that happen.

      Also, I have been waiting on the (in)Courage Bible study which was to start February 1. I signed up but have not received anything. I am not on Facebook.
      Glenda

  15. I, too need to reminded to not let other things distract me.
    Also, was looking forward to your online Bible study with the (in)Courage Bible but as yet have not had any e-mails. I thought it was starting on February 1. I do not have Facebook.
    Glenda

  16. This is so me! I wrote down everything that spoke to me: forgetting my first love, one compromise, one distraction, not prioritizing well, and giving into my flesh. And turned your words into a prayer, “Lord, I desperately desire to live a life pure in heart, spirirt, and motivation. Help me to cast off every distraction in my life so I can run free and unhindered in the pursuit of Christ.” I am trying to discipline myself and getting back to spending quiet time with God. Thank you for the devotion.

  17. Karina,
    I loved your courage in reflecting upon your own spiritual condition. It made me thinking about myself when I feel guilty of my past and current mistakes. Thank you so much. God bless.

  18. This is so good! I struggle because we spend time in His word twice daily as a family but lately He has been urging me to also be alone, just him and me. It is so easy to say “but I do it twice a day”. Thank you for this reminder that I am not alone in this!

  19. My head and business seoarated me from the Lord and more. Through prayer and lamentong reoentence and fervently seeking God His grace has been my strength rock. Thank you for being affirming and tenderly reminding me of my Gift from God TIME WITH HIM