Circle of Life
Hermes Trismegistus said, “God is a circle whose centre is everywhere and whose circumference is nowhere.” – Infinite timelessness
Life is represented as a circle because it is a constant loop. Today, I find myself in the season of what many people may refer to as the “sandwich generation.” When I look back to when my children were born to fast forward, them racing into their futures, I find myself stopping to turn around to care for my aging parents, who once cared for me. I am reminded that life is fleeting and but a vapor in our lifetime. The human life cycle has six main stages: fetus, baby, child, adolescent, adult, and elderly. I stepped out of this circle for just a moment to see all that I’ve been experiencing right before my eyes. Time keeps moving forward and it waits for no one.
Twenty-three years ago, I first held my newborn son. Now, he’s purchased his own place, will be married in a few months, and will soon start his own family circle. My eldest daughter is off to college, living on her own, crafting her dreams into reality, and making a life for herself. My middle child is a senior in high school and stands at the threshold of graduation and soon will spread her wings in college as well. My fourth child just turned 16 and is invincible, hanging with his friends and doing the high school scene. And my last child is living his best life, growing so much taller than me, which doesn’t take much but still, my baby is no longer a baby. Then on the other end of the spectrum, I was uprooted from my daily routine to travel back and forth to Texas to take care of my aging parents. I wasn’t expecting this duty to kick in until much later in their lives, but nature had a different timing in mind. My parents are in their mid 70’s and in my mind’s eyes, I saw them just as strong, healthy, and vibrant as when I was a child. In reality, their health is slowly weakening and I see them moving in slow motion, while my own children are doing the opposite, in full speed. Time moves like a temperamental river with many currents – rushing forward with my children’s milestones, while slowly winding through long days of caregiving, yet somehow flowing in both directions at the same time. And in-between, I’ve had several friends pass this world into eternity. Life moves so fast and so slow all at once, but there is beauty in every season of life. Through it all, God gives me peace. He gives me the strength to embrace every moment and keep moving forward, but I know that I can’t do this life without my Maker. Life’s circle teaches us that every season has value, and every season has its purpose, even when we don’t fully understand it. Where do you find yourself in your own circle of life?
As I stand in the middle of my own circle, I am reminded of Solomon’s words in Ecclesiastes 1:4-6, “Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever. The sun rises and the sun sets and hurries back to where it rises. The wind blows to the south and turns to the north; round and round it goes, ever returning on its course.” As well as Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 goes on to say, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.”
As Solomon contemplated in Ecclesiastes the meaning and the circle of life; he says that it was all meaningless, everything was meaningless (Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12:8). Whether wisdom, pleasure or success, none of it mattered, they were all meaningless. Until he discovered the One who gives meaning to life and the only One whose life has meaning. The spiritual context of the circle of life is a symbolic representation of birth, life, death and rebirth. Ecclesiastes 11:5 says, “As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.” We don’t know the plans of life. You trust God with all uncertainties. He will work all things for good (Romans 8:28). And that in due season we will reap a harvest, if we do not lose heart (Galatians 6:9).
I do know one thing for sure in my life that’s constant and never changing, it’s Jesus. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). While seasons shift and circumstances evolve, through it all, God’s peace sustains me and His love anchors me through every transition. He remains the same, His love and promises endure through every moment. No matter what you are facing today, enjoy life in the present time and see the beauty even in difficulties. Find the good in all situations. Mark 13:32-33 reminds us, “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.” Live wisely, choose to do something, choose to follow Jesus Christ. Remember your Creator, the One who made you, the only One who gives meaning to this meaningless life (Ecclesiastes 12:1). Trust God with your tomorrow. The only thing that can satisfy the eternity in our hearts is to seek God out to find the freedom and glory of being His child. This only happens when we accept the invitation to be adopted as His child and we suddenly have purpose and meaning in our life. Find eternal glory, the substance that lasts. Only God can satisfy the deep longing in our souls.
Whether I’m celebrating my son’s engagement or holding my mother’s hand during doctor visits, these moments form the sacred tapestry of life. The circle continues its eternal spin, not stopping for anyone. But now I truly understand Trismegistus’ words I quoted in the beginning; that its center - God – truly is everywhere – in every goodbye, in every hello, every milestone and quiet moment in between. I have found that being in this season, this “sandwich generation,” God has given me the wisdom and grace to endure it all, one deep breath and one meaningful step at a time.