of rising up and changing things. Some- life will always be that way, and we never Land, they found themselves at Gilgal,
times it is. But sometimes faith is also expect anything more. There is a subtle meaning “a circle or a wheel.” God had
found in joyfully accepting some things difference between mere wandering and brought them full circle, and at Gilgal
and trusting God. We can become bitter making circles. He would roll their reproach away (see
or we can accept our Father-filtered limi- When I wan- Joshua 4—5).
tations and make the most of it. We can der, I
learn to bend without breaking and trust blow
Bringing Honor to
God’s plan.
God in the Circles
“
WHEN I ‘GO
No matter how often
Accepting the Seasons
I find myself circling, I
of the Circles AROUND IN
must remember that
Not enough is said about learning to
CIRCLES,’ I AM
the ultimate judgment
be comfortable in the will of God. We of the value of that
only want to talk about fulfilling destiny, FOLLOWING GOD. time lies with God.
and there is some value in that. But at
some point in the children of Israel’s 40
I CAN’T DISCERN
God can and some-
times does break the
years in the wilderness, they had to
ANY WORTHWHILE
cycle, and other times
accept making circles. I am not advocat-
ing hopeless resignation. I am saying that
OR RECOGNIZABLE
He chooses to leave me
where I am. Only He
more times than I care to admit, I have
PATTERN, BUT
knows best. No wonder
made life harder than it had to be. I failed
to discern the season I was in. God had here
HE CAN.”
Paul said, “Judge nothing
before the time, until the
me making circles. I feared accepting it and Lord comes, who will both
meant it would always be that way. I there at the bring to light the hidden things of
couldn’t stop fretting long enough to real- whim of my darkness and reveal the counsels of the
ize that it was only the season I was in. desire. When I “go around in circles,” I hearts. Then each one’s praise will come
The moment came when God said to am following God. I can’t discern any from God” (1 Corinthians 4:5, NKJV).
Israel, “You have done this long enough. worthwhile or recognizable pattern, but It has been said, “A few people will
Go north” (see Deuteronomy 2:1-3). We He can. get to do great things. Many people can
get so used to the circles that we are As a pastor, I generally have much choose to do small things in a great
tempted to discretion to use my time as I please. It way.” Regardless of what God chooses
think would be easy to avoid routine or unspec- for me, I can walk in greatness and bring
tacular duties in favor of the exciting honor to Him. It may involve some
things that come along. But most of great thing, or it may simply be “going
life is lived in the routine. One around in circles” in a way that glorifies
“
MOST OF LIFE
who learns to make peace with and pleases Him.
routine responsibilities will So receive a word of encouragement
IS LIVED IN THE
make the greatest contribu- today. Don’t grow weary in the circles. It
tion in the long haul. It also may be your ministry for the moment. It
CIRCLES. IF WE
helps me to remember the is not always a matter of giving up your
ALWAYS HAVE TO
nature of circles. A circle is dreams. It may just be a matter of trust-
an arc that keeps repeating ing God and surrendering to His will.
HAVE SOMETHING itself until it ends up where There is reward ahead. Be faithful, even if
NEW, WE NEVER
it started. There are you feel as if you are just “going around
moments in life when God in circles.”
GROW DEEP AND
brings me full circle. There
MATURE.”
may have been challenges along
the way, one of them being the
Mark Hisle serves as pastor of
cyclical nature of life. But God does
Parkway Praise Center Church
have a desired end and purpose. When
of God in London, Kentucky.
Israel finally came into the Promised
EVANGEL • MAR 2009 25
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