Circle Up

Have you noticed how much we use a circle throughout our lives?

We circle up in sports. We have dinner in somewhat a circle around a table. We have staff meetings or company meetings in a circle. We have touch base meetings with our teams, in a circle. We meet friends and have dates, face to face forming a half circle.

This is because God made us to be with others and furthermore, to be face to face as a group. Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of times we need friends to be side by side as we walk through life. But there’s something about a circle that connects us, unites us and that gives a bond we’re made to have.

We’re better when we connect to others. We’re stronger when we connect to others. We’re challenged when we connect to others. We’re empowered when we connect to others. 

Conversely, we’re isolated when we disconnect.

We’re weaker when we disconnect. We’re not challenged when we disconnect. We’re losing power when we disconnect.

This is just one of the reasons why we must choose to Circle Up.

However this is a challenge, have you noticed?

We must remember that the enemy of our soul uses division, grudges, selfishness, resentment, gossip, strife and more to shut us off to relationships and thus isolate us in self preservation. 

But this leads us to an incomplete picture of what God wants for us in our faith because He made us to have a circle we’re a part of.

Notice what God intended for us, in having a circle.

“Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.”

Proverbs‬ ‭13:20

“Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.”

‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭4:9‬

“They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭2:46‬

When we’re with wise people, we become wise. When we’re connected to others, we can help each other succeed. We can model what the early church did and connect in small groups and have friendships and joy.

This is the word of God and this is the will of God for our lives. 

So, what circles are you in?

Whether we know it or not, we circle up all the time, but the question is, is it the right one?

Circles in church are not perfect and they have their flaws. However, we’re not in church because it’s perfect and we’re not in circles because it’s perfect either. We do this because Jesus is perfect and His plan is perfect for our lives.

In His plan are circles of people like us, that can help each other move forward one step at a time.

For us at City we call these circles groups! 

These are full of people like you and me who gather around a theme and connect together. This is one way we grow, make friends and get connected. God hasn’t called us to isolate, He’s called us to insulate and circle up.

This doesn’t solve our problems, but it helps others to help walk through our problems in faith!

I encourage you to circle up and join a group. Move forward through the potential nervousness or awkwardness and discover new things and new people. You may even be ready to lead a group and help others circle up. Wherever you are, move forward. Let God heal your heart, mend your life and give the support you need; circle up!

For information on all of our groups, please go to citychurchbloomington.org

You’ll find all the info to take your next step.

Have a great week and the best is yet to come,

PD