ONE of the big issues moulding our society today is that of the individual’s rights.

Over the last couple of centuries, the heroic battles of various champions have transformed our lives today and we are the better for it. However, there has also been a negative side to this. Awareness of a focus on our rights has contributed to a more self-centred society. Interestingly, many of those champions of yesteryear were Christian men and women. Yet Jesus’ own incarnation was God’s demonstration that real dynamic life comes when we hold our rights very lightly.

Take, for example, the marriage service and its solemn vows. It is full of statements about what I promise to give in good times and bad until the day I die.

Marriages last when those embarking on them take these vows seriously.

Billy Graham’s daughter, Anne, once said: “A good marriage is a partnership between two givers.” Of course, we all fail those vows at some time – I have too often.

Then, “a good marriage becomes a partnership of two forgivers”.