Circles (class notes from Sunday)

We discussed “circles” this past week. A circle, according to Webster’s is “a closed plane curve every point of which is equidistant from a fixed point within the curve.” (Quite a mouthful...) There are three special features of a circle that we can look at: the central, fixed point; the enclosure of space; and the boundary.

First is the “fixed point” in the center of the circle. We discussed in class the use of a “compass” that allows you to accurately draw a circle by placing a sharp point on the paper and rotating the pencil around it. Without the fixed center, the circle could never come out just right.

Second, a circle is really not much more than a definition (or enclosure) of a particular space on a paper. When you use the compass, you adjust the radius arm to place the pencil at your desired distance before drawing the circle. By this, you are defining a certain portion of space that you wish to enclose within your circle.

Finally, a circle has a boundary. After you’ve determined the diameter of space you wish to define on the paper, you place your pencil on the paper and rotate around the fixed point, leaving a circular line on the paper. This boundary defines the limits and breadth of your circle. Think of a playground: placing a fence around a kids’ playground defines the playing area, dividing this special place from the rest of the world (the parking lot, the street, and so on...), giving them a safe place to play and be kids.

Questions to consider:
(1) What should our center be as Christians? What are some other “centers?” Now, honestly answer for yourself, “What is my center, really?” Can we even begin to draw our lives without this focus?

(2) After thinking about #1, how do we define our lives as Christians? How do we know how far to adjust the radius arm in our lives (that is, how do we know what we are supposed to be? To do? How to act?)

(3) Once we know our radius (our measuring stick), can you think of how we can place boundaries in our lives?

(4) The boundary of the circle is also what we notice when we look at a circle on a piece of paper, not the empty white space inside. What do people see when they look at you?