Like a Lion

Many animals will live or die based on their ability to stay within the safety of the herd.  It is when they wander too far from the community, when they are isolated, that they become extremely vulnerable.   Maybe they end up alone because they have sustained some sort of injury and are no longer able to keep up, or maybe they have allowed themselves to become distracted, or maybe they just believe they don’t really need the others.

Whatever the cause, the greater the separation from the herd becomes, the greater the chance of being attacked, and, correspondingly, the lower their chances of survival become as well.  I will venture a guess that this correlation works in reverse as well; the closer one stays to the herd, the more “surrounded” they keep themselves, the less likely they are to be attacked.

God’s Word tells us that this principle is not only applicable on the African grasslands, but in our spiritual lives as well. 1 Peter 5:8 says, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (ESV)

It would make your adversary’s job much easier if he could find a way to separate you from the “herd”, or in our case, the community of believers.  Our vulnerability to attack is directly related to this issue and we must “be watchful” for potential causes of separation.

What ways can you more fully engage with the “community of believers?” Church attendance? Participating in small groups? Ministry involvement?

What poses the greatest threat to separate you from the herd? Injury? (hurt feelings, taking offense, etc.) Distractions? Belief you don’t really need others?

Do you know anyone who has wandered that you can reach out to and try to restore?