Surrounded

 Maybe it’s because I watch too many Westerns.  I mean is there even such a thing as too much Gunsmoke, Ponderosa, or John Wayne Movies? Or maybe it’s just the way I’m wired up.  What do you think of when you hear the word “Surrounded”?

I was listening to one of my favorite artists the other day, Michael W. Smith.  He has a song titled “Surrounded” and as I listened to the words, it hit me that maybe I have been thinking of being surrounded all wrong. 

Usually being surrounded is a bad thing.  Surrounded by the bad guys in a Western.   Surrounded by the enemy while fighting a battle in a war.  When the police have a suspect surrounded it’s usually game over. All true, but what if there’s more to being surrounded?  What if we flip it around?

We are all surrounded by close friends and family members during our days.  We are surrounded by the good things we choose like positive people, or being part of a team working towards a common goal.  Our Creator surrounds us with beauty as we look at nature and the amazing things displayed for us.  

What if we look at the challenges and obstacles we all face in light of the support and help we already have surrounding us and the help we can ask for and choose?  As I began a new chapter in my career today, I was moved to tears by the stream of texts from those surrounding me with well wishes, prayers  and encouragement as I headed into my new adventure.  Seems like Marshall Dillon always wins against the bad guys of Dodge City when his friends help him out. 

Even Scripture shows us that Jesus surrounded himself with 12 followers.  They sometimes fell, as all friends can and were a lot of work at times, but those 12 Jesus chose to surround Him changed the world.

So maybe give some thought of who and what you are surrounding yourself with today.  If you find yourself fearful of being surrounded by the bad guys and problems, be sure you are surrounded by those people that have your back, circle the wagons and will fight to help you get through it.  When we do that I bet those obstacles and challenges that you face look a little easier to conquer.