It feeds my soul to be with my Tribe.
The past couple of months have been life-giving despite some really heartbreaking grief and pain because of time spent with old and new friends. I've been encouraged, challenged, and blessed by incredible people. I needed this. We need this. Don’t try to handle this life stuff alone.
For decades, I have been flung around the world and dropped down thousands of miles from my condo, only to find myself with authentic family. There is a tangible sense of being with my tribe, whether it is with old friends or new connections. It becomes home. Companions with whom I immediately sense a tangible affinity.
The word “companion” comes from the Old French “compagnon” and Latin roots com- ("together") and panis ("bread"), literally meaning a "bread fellow" or someone you share bread with.
“Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.” (Philippians 2:1-2)
Your tribe are the ones who:
Make you feel welcome.
See you. Really see you. The real you. And they still stay with you.
Encourage you to be your genuine self.
Truly listen and hold your story.
Laugh, cry, dream, pray, play, and just be with you. This is holy ground.
Support you as you hold suffering in one hand and joy in the other.
Show you a clearer, bigger picture of God when your vision clouds up.
Lift you up to God without trying to fix you.
Sing your song back to you when you have forgotten the words.
Hold your arms up in the battle like Aaron and Hur.
“But Moses' hands were heavy. Then they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other. Thus his hands were steady until the sun set”. (Exodus 17:12)
Who has your back? Who is a safe friend? Who keeps you going through the battle?
“Friendship arises out of mere Companionship when two or more of the companions discover that they have in common some insight or interest or even taste which the others do not share and which, till that moment, each believed to be his own unique treasure (or burden). The typical expression of opening Friendship would be something like, "What? You too? I thought I was the only one."
... It is when two such persons discover one another, when, whether with immense difficulties and semi-articulate fumblings or with what would seem to us amazing and elliptical speed, they share their vision - it is then that Friendship is born. And instantly they stand together in an immense solitude.” ― C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves
When I was in seminary, people in the Masters in Counseling Psychology didn’t understand why I was in the Masters of Divinity program. People in the MDiv didn’t understand why I was in the Counseling program. To me, teaching of Scripture and therapy of freedom and healthy growth dovetailed perfectly. How could they not?
Am I speaking Martian here??
When I finally wound up in a Christ-centered Spiritual Formation Forum, I felt like I was finally in a room full of Martians, people who spoke the same language as I did, held the same priorities and shared my desire to provide time, space, direction, and shepherding in transformation as we follow Jesus.
I’ve been privileged to be with lots of Martians recently.
Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:1-6)
Keep finding your tribe, friends, companions, family, and fellow Martians. Don’t try to go it alone. We need each other.