Many of us remember the scene from The Lion King when Simba is lifted high and the music of the “Circle of Life” swells around. I feel like I’m there right now.
Last summer I spent a week of vacation with all my children and grandchildren in the mountains of Colorado. What an adventure: hiking, picnicking, rafting, 4-wheeling, biking, ziplining, trampoline bungee jumping, rodeo, country market, horseback riding—and lots of fishing.
We ranged in age from me—the oldest—down to Ethan at 4 months old.
The outdoor activities were fun, but even more special was the opportunity to be together—all 12 of us in one condo—and share meals and evenings and life together. Very special was our sweet “church” time on Sunday morning, each relating a Bible story or character that influenced us.
I love to capture the reality of this Circle of Life I live in photo books. The one I did on this trip was number 11 for me. I have compiled a tribute to my mother on her 90th birthday and celebrated three weddings and the first year of each of my grandboys.
Going over hundreds of photos, from my childhood to my grandchild, reminds me of so many things: the beauty of family, the fun we had and the fun we are still having, the growing up and growing old, the brevity of life on earth. We gather together for births and birthdays, graduations and weddings. And at the end we celebrate a life and say goodbye.
And of course that is what we do as believers in Christ. We welcome people into God’s family and our fellowship. We celebrate new birth and good growth and happy milestones. We share joy and sorrow, passion and pain. We stand firm in the battle together, often holding each other up. We stir each other on to love and good works in the Spirit. We love to see expanding circles of God’s people—we love seeing true movements of God’s Spirit. And then, with tears and solid hope, we send them home ahead of us.
What a privilege! We are helping to put together incredible photo books of the work of God on this earth. We are writing the stories of this family we are a part of. We are chronicling the victories of the spiritual battle. We are extending the circle of life far beyond our small confines, to the broader world, to all people, to every nation and tribe. For now and for eternity.
I never get over it—that God brought me into this circle of life and asked me to help him grow it beyond what I can ask or think or even imagine.
c Judy Douglass 2010
Find me on Facebook
Find me on Twitter
I love it that I’m now entering a new phase in the circle of life. Younger folks with more energy are doing more on campus, more in ministry, and sometimes I feel “old.” But I have a part to play in the circle! My neighbor has just come to faith in Jesus. It’s been a year of journeying slowly and carefully beside her. My part in the journey might be more “slow and steady” and not so much energy and fireworks. I’m OK with that! Thanks for this post!
Amen and Amen
When I think about the Lord and what He’s done for me my soul cries out HALLELUIA
As we draw closer to His return I’m more aware that it is His will that none should perish We not only have the responsibility to make sure our loved ones are saved but we are compelled to go out to the highways and hedgerows and compel them to come into the Kingdom. For who knows if we have come to the Kingdom for such a time as this
This is a great reminder that all we are doing for God’s Kingdom will stand as a “photobook” for those to come. Imagine the photobook that one life alone for Christ might span!
Serving in Mexico, I often miss my family very much. At first it was my mom and dad, brother and sisters… now it is my own children. It is sure not getting any easier! I also love to take pictures and treasure the times we do get together. This is a beautiful reminder of the amazing gift of family!
I empathize with so many of our staff separated from family by long distances. Grace is needed and sufficient.