Circles

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also run with perseverance the race that is set before us. Hebrews 12:1

Circumference is defined as the enclosing boundary of a geometric figure, especially a circle. The key words here are enclosing and boundary. In life, the word circle, can be used to describe many different things such as: groups of friends, small groups, neighborhoods, Christians, organizations, churches, businesses, and many other things. The idea of a circle can be positive or negative depending upon whether you happen to be on the inside of the circle or the outside of the circle.

These past couple of weeks have been filled with panic, fear, uncertainty, and doubt. Although this is a strange time, there are so many examples of people who could build a circle around themselves, their assets, and their health, but instead are reaching out to extend their circles to include those who need help. It was encouraging to see posts where people can place their “needs” on social media, and those who are able will try to see that those needs are met.

Today as I was waiting in line at Starbucks, a young girl who was ahead of me in line, hopped out of her car and began to do cheers outside her car door. Obviously, she was a cheerleader and missing out on try outs or practice. At first, I thought, how ridiculous – she’s making me wait longer in line. Then, I realized she was just trying to use some way of making others smile, and it worked. Instead of holding others at arm’s length, she was expanding the circle to include others.

I learned an interesting fact from an article sent to me by a friend this week. The huge redwood trees that grow in the forests of California have a unique growing method. They grow in circles, and this methods shields each of the tress from strong winds. Whereas most trees just grow wherever they are planted or in no particular pattern, these trees are unique as they help each other or lift each other up.

We live in a lonely world which is getting lonelier each day as so many are quarantined, and daily we rely on Instacart, Uber Eats, on line ordering and banking, and so many other conveniences which isolate us from our community. During this stressful time for all of us, it is so heartwarming to see so many widening their circles to include the elderly, the needy, the sick, and the lonely.

Instead of building a circle around ourselves, the best thing we can do is make a circle to draw folks in. Edwin Markham said it best in his poem, “Outwitted”: He drew a circle to keep me out; Heretic, rebel, a thing to flout; But love and I had the wit to win; we drew a circle that took him in.

Our Father included all in this world, and I believe He would want us to check on the needy, the sick, the elderly, and the poor. Do unto others as we would have them do for us. It’s a wonderful thing to watch the circle of Christian men and women demonstrate their faith by their works and deeds.

Paul Hammer writes, “In the Bible, faith is never a matter simply for an isolated individual. It involves a community of persons that stretches back into the past, embraces people in the present and anticipates a fellowship in the future. Faith involves a cloud of witnesses to God’s continuing faithfulness.”