Marriner’s Moment: Harmony, Happiness and Hope – Part 3

Repentance is just as important as righteousness, and others need to hear what God has brought us from. We must share that, in sin there are consequences, but God walks us through those consequences, letting us know that He’s still ‘got us’; He still loves us!

In this season of love, giving and remembrance, I encourage you to focus on the reason for the season, not the tangible or material things you receive. Instead of approaching God asking for something, try giving something to Him and others – demonstrating the love of Christ. You don’t have to do something as grandiose as ‘adopting a family’ for Christmas – but try becoming a giver instead of a taker. Your gift may be something as simple as paying for the meal of the person behind you in a drive-through, raking leaves in the yard of an elderly person, baking cookies for your next door neighbor, smiling and giving someone a hug, or saying ‘hello’ to a stranger.

The true essence of Christianity, is learning to become more like Christ. When we do this, even if our circumstances don’t change, we grow and look more like Him. The purpose of developing a strong relationship with Christ is not just an opportunity for us to get what we want from God, it’s an opportunity to give Him praise, to listen to Him for guidance and direction, to thank Him and to imitate Him. We must learn to praise and thank God, even in our brokenness. Remember, broken crayons still color. What better time of the year to color the world with harmony, happiness and hope than this season of celebrating the birth of Jesus!
Peace and power.

© Dr. Melvin O. Marriner,
Grove Church
December 2017