God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. I Corinthians 1:9
Years ago I was introduced to the idea of spending time with God on a daily basis. Intentional moments carved out of my already busy schedule to focus on the God who sustains me — talk with Him, pray with Him, laugh and cry with Him. So I pursued these moments with fervor, but the well of time quickly ran dry as life happened. Projects, deadlines and many other things crowded the once designated time with Him. It wasn’t long before I was no longer mentioning a quiet time with my Lord, but instead making excuses why I couldn’t afford that time.
And then I heard a dear friend and colleague speak to a group of college students. I was one of them. It turned my scripted idea of carving out a time with God each morning on it’s end. He went on to invite us to explore the meaning of fellowship with our King. As we are called into fellowship with Christ Himself, what then would that fellowship look like? We were then encouraged to draw a circle around ourselves and regardless of where we are, invite Him into our circle. True fellowship with the Savior!
So, no matter the place, no matter the moment, no matter the victory or crisis, no matter the emotion or experience, my circle includes the God of the universe who not only lives within, but does so in full fellowship with me! As I exercise, He’s there to fellowship. As I shop, He’s there to fellowship. As I eat the blessings of this earth, He’s there to dine. As I pay my bills, He’s there. As I commute, He’s along for the ride. As I worship, He rejoices in my joy of Him. As I stress, He’s there to comfort and relieve. As I heal, He is there to touch. As I study, He is there to instruct. As I doubt, He’s there to remind me of His promises. As I question, He shows me in His Word an answer. As I sit and wonder, He sits and loves.
When I draw a circle around me and invite the God of the universe to join me there — wherever that may be — I invite and unlock the very gift of life, love and the power of God to reside and rest within me. It’s not a circle that excludes the fellowship of others, but the circle of life creates a light that shines and causes others to see Jesus in my circle!
Lord Jesus, may I continue to invite you into my circle — fellowship with me not just in the morning, but noon, day and night. Now that’s a “circle of LIFE.”
by: Mark Cruver