Circle the wagons

When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. -Romans 12:13 (NLT)

It’s when the chips are down when you know who your true friends are. Your real friends will check you when you’re misguided, cheer you when you’re on the right track, and rally to support you through the worst of times, when others fall away in judgment.

A friend and sibling in Christ told me about how people in their family would talk about circling the wagons, which is a hat tip to early American settlers. In the 1800s, when pioneers came to settle across the American west in their caravans of covered wagons, they would create a large circle with their wagons to protect themselves against outside attack.

In chapter 12 of Paul’s letters to the Christians in Rome, he talks about living sacrifices; love, zeal, hope, hospitality; and forgiveness. It’s in the verses about love, zeal, hope, and hospitality where the verse at the top of this post comes from.

When you see a sibling in Christ under attack, and their light is flickering or dimming from the intensity of the assault from dark places and people, come to their aid, along with other siblings in Christ. Circle the wagons. Let the collective light that you all carry from the Lord flood the situation with light to keep the darkness at bay. There is brilliant power and light in numbers.

Pray. Give God thanks and praise, always. Thank Him for the power and blessing of fellowship to bring His children through valleys. Thank Him for making a way past this situation where there seems to be no way (Isaiah 43:19), and for using all things for the good of His children (Romans 8:28). And watch Him work!