Marriner’s Moments: The ‘RE’ of ‘We’: Making a Positive Impact Together – Part II

By Pastor Melvin O. Marriner

Grove Church

PORTSMOUTH

The New Year presents us with an opportunity for a “do-over”  or do better.  While I don’t put much stock in making New Year’s resolutions, I do encourage people to periodically evaluate or assess their lives.  The start of 2016 is a perfect time to do that so it’s in that vein that I offer up this month’s theme “The RE of We.”  In other words, what do you need to ‘RE-vise, RE-do, RE-commit to, RE-energize or RE-assess, to ensure your life or the lives of those in your circle is better, brighter or more bearable? 

Keep in mind that sometimes a RE-do is not just about us; it’s also about others and the impact that we can or should have on their lives.  As mentioned last week in Part I of the “RE of We,” no man (or woman) is an island.

The Word of God further expands on the idea that we are in this thing together, in Romans14:7-8, where we read, “For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone . For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.”  

As co-laborers with Christ, God calls on us to engage in and change or transform the way we live, the things we do and the deeds we perform.  Moreover, He does not just call upon us to do so, but He wants us to do so with PASSION.   Colossians 3:23 tells us that, “… whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.”

What is the point in doing something if we do it grudgingly, murmuring or complaining?  We must labor, love and minister with conviction and passion.  Ask yourself this … Would you rather watch or root for a football team that plays with heart and passion, or one that is just going through the motions, biding time until the game is over?  Which team gets your attention, admiration and applause?  At its core, passion involves having a servant’s heart.  It may require us to seek God and ask Him to REveal Himself to us and RElease His power upon our heart.  What will your “RE of We” be in 2016? 

Peace and power,

© Dr. Melvin O. Marriner, November 2015 

We invite you to join us at Grove Church, 5910 West Norfolk Road, Portsmouth, Virginia, Sundays at 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., Tuesdays at noon and Wednesdays at 7 p.m.