By Pastor Melvin O. Marriner
Grove Church
PORTSMOUTH
Throughout December, as we prepare to celebrate and commemorate the birth of our Savior, many of us also pause to reflect on life, its meaning, as we assess where we are and where we want to go. While many people make New Year’s resolutions during this time of year, I prefer to periodically conduct a self-examination of my life. Moreover, this year, I am encouraging members of my congregation to do the same; that’s why our theme for December is “The RE of We.”
Life can be tough sometimes, but it can also be wonderful and rewarding. Thankfully, throughout life, we receive opportunities to RE-adjust or RE-group when things go off course. The ‘RE of We’ provides each of us with an opportunity to REvisit and REflect on our life until it mirrors the love and image of Christ.
During this season of celebration of the birth of our Savior, I encourage you to RE-focus your mindset to look more upward to God, inward at yourself, and outward, to give, bless, help and share with others. The very essence of Christmas is in sharing and caring, not receiving. As Christians, we have already received the greatest gift of all times—our Savior. It’s in that spirit that I pray each of us finds or creates opportunities to bless others through heartfelt expressions of encouragement or random acts of kindness. Surprise a military family with gifts of appreciation, share a meal with a lonely individual, or drop off toiletries at a homeless shelter. There are a number of ways that we can show the love of Christ to others.
I pray this season of celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ provides you with time to reflect upon “the RE of We.”
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.
