The Circle of Life

I was talking to a friend earlier tonight and this realization hit me. The circle of Faith, the circle of Love. This friend was telling me about how she feels inadequate to pour into others lives.

(I feel this may be easier if I just insert our conversation here)
Her: Some of them really opened up about their pasts at our last meeting. It was really neat but there is a lot of pain


Me: Well God has placed you with them for a reason and through your obedience He will heal them. I'll be praying for you and them.


Her: Aww thanks friend. Sometimes I feel inadequate, but I just ask God to speak through me to them


Me: And that's why you'll impact many lives. Your focus is Him and His focus is them. :) see it all comes full circle. It's when we make it about us that the circle is broken. 


Now let me just say this, this was a new realization to me at the time as well. To my knowledge I have never thought that before, the circle thing. This past week I ask God to show me glimpses that I was doing the right thing at school because some days I question my abilities. Just like most others, I too experienced a feeling of inadequacies. Through different situations I say God at work in my students' lives. One of my students has decreased his anger outbursts and has learned to remove himself from a situation that makes him upset. Another student has turned from a silent rebellion to wanting to be involved. There were many moments that melted my heart and reminded me of why I am there. So as I said these words to my friend tonight, "your focus is Him and His focus is them. It's a circle" it was like Jesus was telling me the same thing. When I keep my focus on Him, He will take care of those I am trying to love. But when I make it about me, about my abilities, the circle is broken and I will fail every time! When I make teaching about following His lead and reaching out to those Jesus lays on my heart, then it makes an impact. But when I do things my way, do things out of the flesh, (get angry, yell, give up, etc) it gets me now where quick. Focus on Jesus, Jesus focuses on them, it works.


The idea of the circle also brings me back to marriage and a ring. The ring is like a circle symbolizing a never ending love. The ring that is around my heart symbolizing my "marriage" to Christ is never ending. My Savior will always love me, always has loved me, and it will never fail. This marriage is about Jesus and how He has changed my life. His love, grace, mercy, have radically changed my heart. When I am faithful to my Bridegroom, things work out in the end. When I focus on my fleshly desires, life seems to fall a part and create unnecessary chaos. As I keep my focus on Him, Jesus will ALWAYS remain faithful and I am forever His Bride. 


This is my prayer for the rest of the school year, leadership this summer, and the rest of my life. May I live every moment for Him. May I always live in the thought of a circle. May I remember that I am a beautiful bride of Christ and just like a circle, His love will NEVER end. 


The circle of life is pretty interesting.