Every Family in God's Service

Lines and Circles

Dr. Jim McDoniel

Last Wednesday evening in the class in the Lecture Hall, we talked about our human tendency to draw lines of exclusion.  I told the class that the older I get the more I recognize the need for grace.

God describes Himself as compassionate, slow to anger, and abounding in love.  John explains plainly, “God is love!”  I want that to be my message, even to those who are good at drawing lines of exclusion, separation, and isolation.  Edwin Markham’s words from his poem “Outwitted” come to mind.  I doubt if Markham was thinking of church issues, but maybe he meant to include all exclusiveness in his famous words.  I recommend his words to us all.

"He drew a circle that shut me out-
Heretic , rebel, a thing to flout.
But love and I had the wit to win:
We drew a circle and took him In !