By Cindy Tuttle

Not long ago I had a friend request on Facebook from someone I knew during high school. We started writing back and forth, catching up on the years that have been lost between us. I found that he is not the person I thought I knew back then. He was a popular guy and had a certain image. Through his writings I found out he is a caring person who loves God and life. 

One day he wrote a long note on our hometown web page, and it started a huge conversation amongst our old friends. He wanted people to know who he really was. So healing began, and now a load has been lifted off his shoulders. 

The World Is Big

Through social media I talk with people throughout the United States and in foreign countries. I’ve reconnected with friends from my hometown, school, college, and church camp. 

The electronic age has changed everything. At one time 6 people would share a party line; now most people have personal cell phones. We have computers that allow our soldiers to talk and see their families when overseas. Each day our world is growing quickly. 

The World Is Small

Jesus told us to go into all the world, but today we don’t have to travel nearly as far. 

One of my daily prayers is to reach out to others more effectively. In Luke 14, Jesus’ story challenged his followers to make room for more people in their circle and to reach out to those who are different from them. We have the same challenge. 

Expanding our circle might mean learning a second language or listening more to those who speak another language. It might mean seeking friendships with people from different backgrounds with different social statuses or different physical abilities. Who will be Jesus to them if we are not? 

Are you willing to step outside your circle to bring others to him?

Cindy Tuttle has served the church and her community in Southeastern Ohio for 25 years. She and her husband, Rob, currently minister with the Lowell Christian Church in Lowell, Ohio. They have two adult children, Kelsie and Ryan.