How wide is your circle?

A few years ago, a friend and I were talking about our daughters beginning to date and all that this new stage would entail. I remember saying, “I’m trying to view this as a chance to expand our family’s circle by inviting him in. What do you think?” An interesting discussion followed. 

I often think about this idea of expanding the circle.

Jesus, by His example, shows us how to reach out into the world. He welcomes the sinner, the stranger, the outcast. He calls us daily to clasp hands with others as a way to walk out our faith, to serve Christ in the wider community where we live and work and play. 

When we volunteer to beautify a struggling neighborhood or take a senior shopping, we are participating in the love work of Christ.

When we serve at a soup kitchen or deliver meals to the elderly, we remember that the Lord meets our nourishment needs and we can help meet another's. 

When we donate to a clothes closet or volunteer at a ministry shop, we remember that we live in abundance and we are to help those who do not. 

When we include someone new in our group, we are offering to expand our circle in the fellowship of Christ and our hearts are wondrously knit together in the uniting language of His love.

Caring for the lost and the lonely, the struggling and the hurting, gives us the opportunity to share Jesus. 

As Jesus meets each of us, His arms are opened wide. And as we meet others, we are called to bring them in, no matter how far we must reach. 

This is Kingdom work: to make the ”us" and "them" become WE. All children of God.

Our circle will radiate wider . . . and then wider still. 

He calls us to look inward at the grace He’s freely given, that we might look outward toward the world in care.

Love. Serve. Care. Pray. 

By widening our circle, Jesus invites us to change our perspective and thus, change the world!

Meditation Reading

Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. 

Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 

And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 

May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. 

Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. 

Ephesians 3:17-19 NLT

Today is a GOOD day!

Natalie