The Redemption of a Grinch

I wrote this a couple years ago, and found myself needing the message again.  I have felt like Ebenezer Scrooge lately, or even like this Mr. Grinch.  I have allowed external negativity to become my internal state.  If I'm not careful, I may find my heart shrinking as I put my focus on the wrong things, and forget to think about the good things.  I need to put my actions into loving others.

Enjoy this one again.  Merry Christmas!

Every year, I find enjoyment in the classic Christmas movies.   One of my favorite movies is "The Grinch That Stole Christmas."  The vile grinch is described so well in the song.

How could anyone so evil ever hope to be redeemed? Well, if you remember the storyline, the grinch had a heart that was three sizes too small.  

Do you know anyone like this?  Someone who seems grumpy and grouchy all the time?  Someone who may be difficult to love or even tolerate?  They are the ones who have been damaged perhaps by life circumstances or possibly even oppression.  These are the people who need love even more than the rest of us.  They will not seek love.  Indeed, if they are consumed by darkness, they will hate the light.  How do we reach them?  We can show them love by our simple little actions.

The grinch was reached by a little girl who refused to allow sadness overtake her.  He suddenly felt his heart grow as he was consumed by an overwhelming urge to make things right.  It was not enough for him to just stop stealing from the people, he was consumed by the will to return all the stolen items and pay restitution.  This is the definition of redemption.  

Those hardened people who seem unreachable can be redeemed.  Never give up on them.  God hasn't given up on you.  

"But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day, says the Lord:

I will put my laws on their minds,

and I will write them on their hearts.

I will be their God,

and they will be my people.

And they will not need to teach their neighbors,

nor will they need to teach their relatives,

saying, "You should know the Lord."

For everyone, from the least to the greatest,

will know me already.

And I will forgive their wickedness,

and I will never again remember their sins." 

(Hebrews 8:10-12)