As I sit here, I think of so many circles of living that God has prescribed for us. And I recall one of the most common in the life of a believer: Reflect. Repent. Respond. Repeat.

A great Bible verse that captures the full reflect–repent–respond–repeat cycle is Colossians 3:

“Since then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:1–3)

Let’s break this verse down and see the circle.

Reflect. Set your hearts on things above. This means reflect, looking to Christ in a daily reflection.

Repent. For you died. This is acknowledging sin and turning back to God, having new life in Him.

Respond. Your life is now hidden with Christ in God. This is our call to live as new creatures—a new creation—trusting His forgiveness and walking in His mission.

Repeat. Set your minds on things above. This is a daily, ongoing rhythm of seeking and living for God.

God does not call us into a meaningless, wearisome cycle. He calls us into a rhythm of life that leads to Him—and that is a circle worth repeating.

Prayer
Lord God, guide us in the rhythm of reflecting, repenting, and responding to Your grace daily. We ask this now in Jesus’ name. Amen.