Don’t Be an Easy Target

 

 

Mr. 4-Ever is an excellent marksman. In an effort to improve his skills, we watch a lot of . . . um, interesting videos on how to kill stuff.

Sometimes it’s a guy in camo sitting in a tree waiting for his trophy buck. Sometimes it’s a guy lurking in the weeds with a goofy sounding whistle trying to trick a turkey into coming closer.

Occasionally we take a break from camo guys and watch a nature video of a lion hunting for dinner.

 

Spiritual hunting

There’s another kind of hunting that takes place—a spiritual kind. And you and I are the prey.

First Peter 5:8 tells us that our enemy the devil is on the hunt, looking to capture and devour us.

Have you noticed that lions don’t go after the fattest, healthiest, most popular animal hanging out in the middle of the pack?

Nope, the lion goes for the easy prey.

The weak.

The broken.

The lonely.

The one on the fringe.

If our enemy, the devil, prowls after us like a lion, we need to make sure we do not become easy prey. Our best safety lies in staying in the midst of a herd.

 

Join a herd

God has created us to thrive within community.

  • Living in community keeps us safe.
  • Living in community brings out the best in us.
  • Living in community is just plain more fun.

 

So if we don’t want to become an easy target, we must find and build our community support system.

But how?

The secret is in one small, simple word: join!

Join in stuff…

Join a church, a Bible study, a bowling league, a book club.

Volunteer at a school, a museum, a library, a blood bank, an animal shelter, or a hospital.

 

Being part of a community means being intentional and contributing.

 

Go do stuff you like to do, then look for interesting people who are doing it, too!

 

Don’t wait for an invite…offer one

Once you find an interesting candidate to be part of your community, invite her for coffee or lunch so you can talk. See if there is a spark.

If you find enough common ground, keep talking . . . in person or on the phone. Get to know each other.

Need some ideas?

  1. Arrange playdates or double dates.
  2. Cook meals together and split them between you.
  3. Volunteer to serve together at church or a ministry or a fundraiser or at campgrounds or a gala.
  4. Celebrate each other’s birthday or promotion or pregnancy.

Any accomplishment or hurdle overcome is cause to celebrate with cards or cake or wine and cheese or a fancy meal or quiet congratulations.

Some of my best memories are of soaking sore feet while laughing with my girlfriend after a big event.

Living in community is essential for survival. Don’t be an easy target.

 

Safeguard your future

Building your tribe now ensures that when life takes an unexpected turn, you won’t be facing it alone.

When the loss is big—such as a spouse or a child or a parent—you won’t be alone to face it.

If the trial is traumatic—such as an accident or a cruddy diagnosis—your tribe will rally around you.

If the upheaval is material—such as losing things in a house fire or a job loss—your peeps will fill in the gaps while you gather what you can and figure out a solution.

Your tribe will know what you need and be there to provide it, whether it’s a meal or a shoulder to cry on.

Don’t be like the feeble animal on the fringe of the herd on the Serengeti waiting for the lion to pounce.

Get into a group or tribe or community that will safeguard you and your future.

 

Do you have a tribe already?

Leave me a comment telling me at least one thing about them you are so grateful for.

Need to find one?

Let me know that too. I’d love to join you in prayer for the community that’s waiting for you!

 

Verse

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” —1 Peter 5:8

Prayer

God, you have created us for community. Remind me of that when I begin to pull away or when I start to feel alone. Bring good and trustworthy people into my life so we can strengthen and safeguard each other from the enemy. Amen.

11 Comments

  1. Debbie on March 19, 2023 at 10:11 am

    How true this is! I was recently diagnosed with cancer. My “tribe” has provided meals, encouraging words, and something I couldn’t do without, PRAYER!

    • Robyn Dykstra on March 20, 2023 at 1:01 pm

      So sorry to hear about the diagnoses. Praying for your healing and for your tribe to support you in surprising ways.

  2. Dyann shepard on March 19, 2023 at 10:25 am

    So good and so true. Thank you Robyn

  3. Shirley Carson on March 19, 2023 at 10:35 am

    I have several close friends ( my tribe) who have physically held me and helped and prayed me through some really tough times! And I have my Bible Study group ( my other tribe) who pray me through everything! I am very thankful for them all!

    • Robyn Dykstra on March 20, 2023 at 1:00 pm

      Yes and amen to this. Thanks for posting Shirley.

  4. Jane Kassens on March 20, 2023 at 6:15 am

    Essential to have a tribe of Godly girlfriends. No woman should be alone.
    Thankful for mine and returned back to my home state because of them several years ago and couldn’t be happier!?????. Nothing like a praying friend.

    • Robyn Dykstra on March 20, 2023 at 12:59 pm

      So important to find and be with your peeps.

  5. Bryana G on March 20, 2023 at 9:02 am

    Love this. Our community is SO important. It’s only been the last year that my little family has really developed one, and we walked through several major trials alone. I was desperate for community in those years. But now God is lifting us into a new season and showing us who our people are and it’s such a blessing!

    • Robyn Dykstra on March 20, 2023 at 12:59 pm

      Hurrah! God is so good.

  6. Leslie on March 20, 2023 at 9:24 am

    This one is really hard for me as I am an introvert whose default setting is “stay at home with my cats and books” lol! In my 20’s, I got burned when I stopped meeting with other strong Christians for a time and started dating an unbeliever (the Enemy is just as good a matchmaker as God is!). It is SO very important to have at least one person who will speak/live Truth in your life.

    • Robyn Dykstra on March 20, 2023 at 12:58 pm

      Thanks for posting Leslie, What a hard lesson to learn. So thankful for you.

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