Finding Your Tribe
Written By: Frieda Dowler
Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. Hebrews 10: 24 – 25 NLT.
One thing Bruce and I have enjoyed over the years is movies. We have a type of movie we enjoy the most. It’s the kind where the main character overcomes present difficult circumstances and his character grows stronger through the experience. I look at this as spiritual growth. This is also one of our favorite things about being in the family of God. A good church can provide the tools and encouragement to overcome in difficult circumstances, thereby strengthening our character.
We have a list of movies we will watch again and sometimes again. One of those movies is Dances with Wolves. Here is a short synopsis for those who haven’t seen it:
Captain John Dunbar, during the American Civil War, is assigned to a remote outpost in the Dakota Territory. When he arrives, he finds the outpost abandoned, but he is dropped there anyway by his military escort. He comes to terms with his new assignment and begins his duty to “man the fort”. It soon becomes evident that no one else is coming to the fort to help him. Unbeknown to him, his military escort is ambushed on his return to headquarters, so no one knows John Dunbar is at that outpost.
Dunbar is serious about his assignment and does what he can until he runs out of supplies. In his desperation for connection with someone, anyone, he attempts to befriend a wolf. Eventually a local Sioux tribe raids him. Dunbar is determined to live, and out of his loneliness he makes connections with the Sioux. Through respectful and helpful interactions, they become friends. The movie magnificently portrays Dunbar’s isolation and loneliness even though he is resolute in his assignment with the Union Army.
I considered how we can feel isolated and lonely as we live out our Christian duty when attending church services regularly. We can sit in a seat in the auditorium week upon week and feel desperately alone, even though we are attending the service with hundreds of others.
Renowned psychologist Maslow states the innate human need for belonging can drive people to stay in unhealthy relationships. We have such a strong desire for connection that we will often put aside common sense when in those relationships. Such was the case with John Dunbar, who befriended a wolf when no human connection was available.
At Victory, there is a way to find those human connections. Groups are designed for that purpose. When we connect through relationship, we find we don’t have to feel alone in a room full of people when we attend services at Victory. We can feel like we belong because we have connected with others.
Attending a group will feel awkward at first. But joining a group requires participation. It’s an exchange of ideas, acceptance of varying personalities, prayer support, and spiritual growth. Like John Dunbar, it’s an exchange of respectful and helpful interactions. It requires us to break out of our shell, listen to others, learn to be sensitive to other’s needs, and form friendships with our brothers and sisters in the family of God.
John Dunbar found his tribe in the Sioux Indians. They were an unlikely match, but the innate human need for connection broke through the boundaries society had set with the American Indians. John Dunbar and the Sioux took a chance with each other and became like brothers who would lay down their lives for each other. The end of the movie leaves me in tears every time.
The main character overcame his present difficult circumstances and grew stronger and more satisfied with his life through his experience.
Who knows what your story might be if you take a chance and join a group at Victory? Maybe you will find that connection you’ve been longing for.
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If you’ve been longing for connection, now’s the time to take a step. Group Launch is a 4-week experience designed to help you meet others and find your place. Don’t just attend—belong.
Find Your People. Launch into community today: https://www.victorycc.life/groups