I have a circle.

You do, too. Inside of our circles are all the rules; a certain way to live. We like things a certain way. We also like to force  others to live inside our circles. We desire them to abide to our rules, opinions, and ways. If they do not conform to our circle, we become frustrated and angry.

My husband and I got into a fight. Well, not really a fight but a disagreement. Over what, you ask? Oh, you know, a pan. Like a pan you cook with. I will spare you the (lame) details, but let’s just say this “disagreement” was my fault. I wanted something a certain way and he did not heed my desire. When we hashed it all out, I realized I wanted him to live inside my circle. And you know what? He doesn’t reside there. I do. And while he does have the right to tell me how I can and cannot treat him, he doesn’t have the authority to tell me how I should feel in a certain situation (and vice versa).

This is the same when it comes to our faith journeys. Each of our journey looks different yet we desperately want them all to look the same. We may say we don’t, but our actions speak differently. When someone doesn’t live in our faith circle, we will do anything and everything to make the jump.

We want all our circles to be perfectly round and the same size; cookie cutter. There is no room for ovals or circles that are off-center. No one’s circle needs to be bigger than the next guys and our circles aren’t supposed to be small. Just like the houses of the suburbs, every circle should look the same.

Let me challenge us (especially us, Christians) to stop forcing each other to fit in our circles. While we do have the authority to tell people about Jesus, we do not have the authority to tell people how to get there. That’s their circle. Not ours.

My husband and I like to take different routes home from church. I like to avoid this one highway (it’s a mess) and he likes the speed he can travel on said highway. We take our separate paths but both make it home. One may take longer than the other, but we both make it. Neither way is wrong. Just different. The destination, Jesus, is the same for each of us. The way we get to that end is our own circle.

I found freedom when I released others from living inside my circle. I understand that they, too, have a circle where they reside. My circle is for me and me alone. It only works for me and no one else. Jesus talks to me in a particular way in my circle that is unique to me. He speaks to you in your circle in only a way you can hear Him.

I like the space inside my circle. A lot. But, my circle isn’t for everyone else. Just me.

Don’t force others to live in your circle. It wasn’t meant for them. Respect the boundaries of their circles, too. You’ll find freedom there. And, who knows, maybe Jesus will be seen more vibrantly when we all stick to our own circles.

Love & Blessings,

Meg