It’s probably because I used to watch Saturday morning westerns with my Grandpa in the summer when I was a child, but I still like western movies. This is a good thing since my husband also likes them. We can watch them over and over again – and do. If you have seen any westerns that involved wagon trains, I’m sure you’ve seen and heard the phrase “Circle the Wagons”. 

One thing about the pioneers of the Old West, when they traveled in wagon trains, they always circled the wagons. Whether they were just stopping for the night or getting ready to fight off an attack of some kind, they circled the wagons. Have you ever thought about that? Why did they circle their wagons? The wagons formed a barrier to whatever might be a danger to them. It allowed all the people to remain inside, together, sharing good or bad, whatever came their way. It became a defense and a comfort. It was also a time of fellowship and joy in the midst of the trials of their journey. They formed a community. They helped each other.

Galatians 6:2 “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

While we don’t live in the Old West and aren’t part of a wagon train, we still need to sometimes circle our wagons. Life is full of ups and downs. Thankfully God intended for us to live in community with one another so that we could love, encourage, help and simply share life together (good times and bad). Do you ever feel like you are being attacked? Maybe it’s a physical attack of poor health or injury. Maybe it’s financial or relationship struggles. Maybe it’s a struggle with demands of our time which we don’t feel we have. Whatever it is, if we “Circle the Wagons” and let others in, they can help share our burden. More importantly, Jesus tells us to give our burdens to Him. He can handle them.

Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Another thing I like about westerns is that the good guys always win. I love happy endings.

If we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior, we are assured of a happy ending to our life here on earth. In this world, we will have many troubles but glory to God, we have a happy ending ahead. I say, let’s “Circle the Wagons”. We can help each other through the struggles and rejoice with each other in the happy times.  

1 John 5:3-5 “This is love for God to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.”