Draw the Circle Wide

By Jim Hannah

May these words that I speak and these songs I sing be grounded in my soul encouraged by the spirit presence in me; and may these words and songs you hear be captured by your soul, enlivened by the spirit presence in you. Amen.

Humanity, in many ways, has lost its way. This bizarre notion that we are separate from and better than the rest of creation is not only crippling the planet but is also vastly compromising human life as well. And worse, it seems to me, is that much of humanity has lost compassion and empathy for the other. We destroy nations and cultures intentionally as if some humans are somehow less than. No where was this more obvious than in Donald Trumps’ video posted on Truth Social last week. In the video he is piloting a plane and drops excrement on the ‘NO Kings’ rallies in the street; then puts a crown on his head and smiles in triumph. Yes it was a video, but in reality it shows that  he has no compassion at all for his own citizens who criticize him.

This lack of empathy for others stems from our distorted understanding of our place in the universe and particularly on this planet. It is imperative, if we are to survive, that we find our way to back to connection with every other – human and other-than-human. The Love that is the still point of the universe is there for us to embrace….

Song – All Is Connected  Jim Hannah©2024

All is connected, the Cosmos is home. Nothing is sep'rate, we're never alone.

So live every moment, be fully aware That wherever we are, that wherever we are,

 That wherever we are... love is there!

In loving union, the cosmos will sing. Growing together, the best we can bring.

So live ev'ry moment, and banish all fear Then wherever we are, then wherever we are,  Then wherever we are... love is here!

For deep compassion, the whole world awaits. With our conviction, this promise creates. So live ev'ry moment, yes, heed Spirit's call. For wherever we are, for wherever we are, For wherever we are... love is all!

Blessed are they who live in love and choose to share the joys and sorrows of the world. They do not give way to fear or doubt; they are quickened by Diving Light and Power. They go from strength to strength and live with integrity. These are the words from the psalm read this morning. The reality is that gratitude will move us forward while fear, regret and remorse will only keep us stuck where we are. We can be so much more when we open to the power of Love in our lives. Love is the gift of the universe, infinite in amount and always present. It is that understanding that moved the psalmist to exclaim ‘blessed are all who put their trust in love!’  It is what binds us together and holds us through all adversity. It is a gift to be truly thankful for…

Song – Thankful Be  Jim Hannah©2001

Many different faces, gather here, (gather here)

From many different places, far and near. (far and near)

Every spirit knowing, love is come, (love is come)

And every heart is showing, we are one. (we are one)

For this gift, this treasure, For this spirit free,

For this love beyond measure, Oh, oh, thankful be.

Many different roadways, do we know, (do we know)

And many new and old ways, weaving so. (weaving so)

Every spirit growing, love is found, (love is found)

And every heart is glowing, love unbound. (love unbound)

It’s time to draw our circles wide, and wider still. Even with all the uncertainty we face in the world, now is not the time to circle the wagons. Bullies do that. They create small circles and spend all their energy keeping others out or putting others down. Our circles need to be willing to open to every other. Let love be our method. We have the power to change the world if we are willing to believe that is true. Richard Wagamese’ Memory read this morning speaks most clearly to me about how we can live differently day to day. He writes, ‘When I open my eyes, there’s another man thirty feet away lost in the same manner. We see each other. We smile. We  laugh. We turn wordlessly  and continue on our separate ways. The teaching? When we see each other through eyes of wonder, all barriers, all differences disappear. We are alive. We are joined. We are everything.’ And the circle becomes wider still…

Song – Draw the Circle words Gordon Light, music Mark Miller©2008

Draw the circle, draw the circle wide. Draw the circle, draw the circle wide.

No one stands alone, we’ll stand side by side.

Draw the circle, draw the circle wide.

Draw the circle wide, draw it wider still.

Let this be our song, no one stands alone.

Standing side by side, draw the circle, draw the circle wide.

It would be hard to find a more diverse circle than in the story of Bear this morning. ‘They lay out their feast on a quilt on the ground. And bear takes a seat while his friends gather round. In a cave in the woods, in a warm bright lair, the friends feel grateful for their good friend bear. And they all say ‘thanks”. May our circles be places of love too. Amen.