It’s Good Inside The Circle

By: Ted Harro

Why do you love your marriage? What is it about your marriage circle that brings you joy and security – even on the days when your world is in crisis?

If we’re right that your marriage circle is modeled after God’s circle of the Father, Son and Spirit, let’s start with a different question: What’s it like in God’s circle?

God’s circle is joyful!

While no one has seen God, we can tell from what we’re told in the Bible what it’s like inside the Circle of God. We know that the different persons of the Trinity are extraordinarily giving to each other. Out of deep love, the Son obeys the Father. The Father gives the Son the name that is above every name. The Son makes room for the Spirit to come center stage by returning to the Father. The Spirit strengthens the Son as a way of bringing applause to the Father.

We’re so accustomed to a world that focuses on taking that it’s hard to even imagine something different. How can you have a bad day in a circle where each person is giving and giving and giving to the others? When each person is competing to see who can out-give the others, it’s always good inside the circle.

Generosity and creativity and joy flow constantly from God’s circle of self-giving love. Think of the most beautiful sunrise or sunset you’ve ever seen. God is creating another one of those jaw-dropping displays somewhere in the world right now. And right now. And right now. 

God is a non-stop beauty machine.

God on a good day

Have you ever thought that the reason there are so many different varieties of sunrises and sunsets might be that God just can’t help but create another one?

G. K. Chesterton once said, “It may not be automatic monotony that makes all daisies alike; it may be that God makes every daisy separately, but has never gotten tired of making them. It may be that He has the eternal appetite of infancy; for we have sinned and grown old, and our Father is younger than we.”

I love that picture of God. 

There is no one more full of joy and creativity in the whole universe than God.  It’s good inside the circle.

God’s circle is resilient in crisis

On the other hand, God probably never has a good day. Out of an overflow of love, he created a world that was beautiful and pregnant with promise. You don’t need to check Twitter or your news feed to know that that same world – including you and me – is a mess. 

Can you imagine being present to the evil and suffering and brokenness and fear of the whole world all at once? 

Maybe there is no one more full of sorrow in the universe than God. 

And yet, when the circle you live in is as good as God’s circle, all hell can break loose and you can be whole. Because no matter what’s happening outside God’s circle, it’s good inside that circle.

God when all hell breaks loose

Your marriage can be joyful and resilient too

Your marriage is a circle. One of the ways you get to reflect the image of God is to create a circle of security and self-giving. Every time you enjoy a moment of comfort, a shared look, or an inside joke you’re mimicking the circle of God. You can say to each other, “It’s good in the circle!”

And just as much, creating that safety and stability gives you resilience in a crisis-hit world. All hell can break loose outside your marriage, but you can look your spouse in the eye and say, “It’s good in the circle.”

On good days and bad days, it can be good inside your circle

Here’s something to try this week:

• Notice times you feel safe and comfortable with your spouse. Just savor those moments. Maybe keep a journal of them this week.
• Notice times you’re facing something difficult in your life and you gain some practical or emotional support from your spouse. Again, why not note them in a journal?
• Notice times you wish there was even more safety and support in your marriage. This longing is from God too! Ask God to help you create more of His atmosphere in your marriage circle.
• Give thanks to God for every bit of connection and support you have in your marriage. Share what you love about your circle with your spouse.