Into the centre

From Karen:

Due to Friday nights commitments to Awana, I have not attended regular Friday night fellowship meetings since September. Last Friday night, Awana has not started yet for the new year. During dinner, I struggled inside whether to attend the meeting or not. My struggles was based on my sentiments of being too tired. Moreover, I was afraid that a critiquing voice would be going on and on as I listen to John's big plans for the year.

I ended up attending the fellowship meeting. I was glad I went. Being amongst brothers and sisters, whom I've known over two or more years, was very comforting. This was the case despite I did not talk that much with anyone. This year's theme for John is CIRCLE. This somehow bring back memories of kindergarten or grade school. The teacher always in a long dress would stand in the middle of circle. All of the little children would surround her in a perfect circle. We would listen tentiatively as she give us instructions on what to do next. Or we would play duck duck goose.

We sat in a semi-circle last week...haha....If I am to be metaphoric, perhaps some of us were further to the centre while some were closer. In a perfect circle, we would all be of equal distance to the centre. At our circle, there stands Christ, our Teacher. As we grow together in Christ, we get closer and closer to Him. If we are to grow, there's always more space to fit one more person in. Each person would have to sit closer together. There would be less personal space for each of us. Yet, it would be a more circle with stronger walls. There would be less chance of the devilish winds blowing into the centre and claiming Our flame.

By the way, I hated being picked goose when I was kid. I was never a fast runner. In this life, we would often feel like an outsider. A goose among ducks. You might feel threanted at work. You might feel no one understands your worries. You might feel like you're sticking out like a sore thumb among able digits. Well, Christ could not even move His hands on the cross. I hope the John circle will help you fight against the thorns of life.