dar334

Funny thing about being in a circle, it seems like when you want out sometimes the boundaries are so strong you can’t break free, and when you want to stay in they will sometimes open right up and force you out.  And then there are the circles you want to be a part of and are not permitted access.  Sadly, I’ve experienced all three examples.

I went to Webster for the definition of circle and found he gave me nine meanings.  I chose #6 as it best defined the reason for my ponder:  a group of persons sharing a common interest or revolving about a common center.

In our Lenten Study this year we are using a book called “Embracing the Uncertain: 40 Devotions for Unsteady Times”.   A gleaning from Day 6 led to this ponder, although we are now on Day 31 it’s been bouncing around in my head for awhile.  In order to stop the bouncing, I need to put it words, thus opening up some space that hopefully will be used for good while also opening up a can of worms.

The writer of our study tells about a man that was facilitating a study with leaders from a wide spectrum of faith traditions.   As with any group of leaders with different views, the discussions quickly turned into arguments.  The facilitator was ready to throw in the towel when he came up with an idea using a flip chart.  He showed up the next day with little dots on the flip chart, each with a circle around them.  Now think if you will, about each dot representing a different faith.  A Baptist, a Catholic, a Methodist, an Adventist ….. you get my point.  The dots represented each of them, isolated from the others with a hedge of protection around them.  Then the facilitator drew a large circle around the all the little circles.  Determined to have a successful study, the facilitator then said “I may not be in your circle, but you are in mine, and there is nothing you can do to get out.  You can’t resign, walk out, or run away.”

Then writer then goes on to tell us that the bitterness and strain in the room evaporated as people recognized their own protective bubbles and remembered that God’s wide circle included everyone in the whole world.

Think about the circle you have around you, and the others circles you have with you in that larger circle.  There are some circles you need to break free of no matter how thick the walls are.  If the center of that circle is an addiction, a sexual immorality, if it’s the act of lying, or deceiving for example, stealing …… we should do all we can to break free.  But if the center of that circle is God, then all us little circles in there need to find a way to work together, no matter our age, color, religion, status, even income.

It is my opinion that secular society needs to stop pushing out the “uncomfortable” circles.   Circles that enclose things that may offend someone.  We have circles telling us we can’t do this or it will offend, we can’t do that or it will offend.  What we need to ask ourselves is who are we offending?  If the dot inside that little circle is not representing the Word of God, it is our responsibility as Christians to try and show them a better option.  After all, if they are right, they have nothing to lose.  If we are right, they have everything to lose.

I’m afraid what is happening in this cruel world today is because too many circles containing the word of God have been pushed out.  The outer circle with evil as the center seems to be getting larger and larger.

In wrapping things up, it’s not about what “you want“, it’s about what “He” wants.  

-dar*

PS.  Think about our government.  We, the people, should be the center, the core of their circle.  But we are not.  It’s all about them.  Again, take a good hard look at the core of your circle.