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.

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!

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.

“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.