Persecution and Trust
God's Geometry - Closed Circles
The general population is divided into two types - racehorses and turtles. Racehorses are always on the go, with "many irons in the fire," while turtles love peace and calm. They both experience some disorcer in their lives that they need to overcome.
"God is not a God of disorder" (1 Cor 14:33) or of unfinished business. He wants us to learn the art of closing circles. The turtles must press onward vigorously to complete their tasks, while racehorses must not dissipate their entergies in taking on too many tasks, which may leave some uncompleted.
To "close circles" it helps to think of every proper task as God-assigned: "It is the Lord Christ you are serving" (Col 3:24), and to heed the angel's warning to the church in Sardis: "I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of God" (Rv 3:2). And planning is important, as Jesus teaches in his story of the man planning to build a tower he's unable to complete (see Luke 14L28-30).
"Closing circles" may relate to all types of unfinished business: such things as delayed apologies or unpaid debts: "Give everyone what you owe him" (Rom 13:7). It may be a compliment that you neglected to express, or a long overdue confession. It may mean giving timely sex education to your children or adopting the biblically mandated practice of tithing, helping the poor, or tidying your house. "Closing circles" will "square" you with God.
This excerpt is from the book One-Minute Meditations for Busy People, by John H. Hampsch, C.M.F., originally published by Servant Publications. It and other of Fr. Hampsch's books and audio/video recordings can be purchased from Claretian Teaching Ministry, 20610 Manhattan Pl, #120, Torrance, CA 90501-1863. Phone 1-310-782-6408 or www.Catholicbooks.net
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About the Author
The Rev. John H. Hampsch, C.M.F., ordained as a Catholic priest in 1952, is a member of the Claretian Missionaries, and is founder and director of the Claretian Teaching Ministry. Listed in Who’s Who in Religion in America, he has served as parish priest, seminary professor and rector, college professor, lecturer, magazine writer, newspaper columnist, editor, retreat master, hospital chaplain, prison chaplain, campus chaplain, Cursillo director and director of suicide prevention programs in Texas and California.
He earned degrees in philosophy from Loyola-Marymount University in Los Angeles and from Notre Dame University, with postgraduate work at the University of Southern California and the Dominican House of Studies in River Forest, Illinois, in ascetical and mystical theology.
Find his many books and audio/visual recordings at www.Catholicbooks.net
