Who is around you?  Your circle...who is it?  Your friends...who are they?

The people who surround you have such a powerful impact on the “now” and the “later” of your life.  Today I was thinking about different historical figures who seemed to have been surrounded by others who shared their passion and zeal.  Guys like John Wesley were surrounded by other men who were as driven as he was driven.  I know this seems like an incredibly simple and perhaps elementary thought, but it reveals my heart:  I want to be surrounded by people who love God with a passion that supersedes everything (yes, I mean “everything”).

I think of Jesus.  He was surrounded by 12 men who, at times, were recklessly on board and passionate about God.  I’m not sure if it’s selfish or idealistic that I want to be surrounded by people who would give everything up for God.  I'm not overly concerned with your skill set.  I actually would rather know what keeps you up at night...anything?

Abraham was willing to kill his son for God.  Would I be willing to do the same?  Am I around other people who would do the same?  I work with an incredibly devoted group of people who believe every person is valuable.  The people I work with are devoted to getting the "Word" out.  This invigorates me, but it also makes me think...who else is like this?  Are my non-staff friends the same way?  Would the people in my church shed sweat and blood and a rediculous amount of energy and time for the sake of helping people know who Jesus is?

Here is where I might cause some rumbling in the crowd.  My family time is not near as important as my time with the One who created my family.  My recreation time is not even close to same value as time spent with God.  I need to know Jesus in order to share Him.  Katy, my wife, knows this...she would rather me spend time with God than with her because she knows my time with God feeds my time with her.

I’m not getting this out clearly…
•    I want to be around people who would die for the Church.
•    I want to be around people who can’t sleep at night because of our city’s spiritual need.
•    I want to be around people who won’t stop until every person has had a chance to know the love of God.
•    I want to be around people who would compromise their own comfort and energy if it meant one other person might catch that same passion.

I needed to say this.  I feel better.