Around six or seven years ago, a man started attending our church sporadically. For many regular churchgoers, it’s familiar to see individuals who come and go without consistent attendance. This man, who came with his family, seemed distant and detached. During sermons, he had an intense look in his eyes, which my friend described as having “a dingo in his eyes,” indicating a sense of unease or turmoil.
Despite our attempts to connect with him, he remained evasive, leaving us with the impression that something significant was troubling him. Although we didn’t know the specifics, we kept him in our prayers. Then, something remarkable occurred. He had an experience that appeared to be either a profound encounter with God or, as we initially worried, a sign of a complete breakdown.
As we spent more time with him, it became evident that he had genuinely reconnected with God. We invited him to share his story with our congregation, unsure of what to expect. What followed was both surprising and deeply inspiring.
He began by showing a YouTube clip of a buffalo being chased by a lion and a crocodile. In the video, the buffalo, separated from its herd, is relentlessly pursued by a lion and then attacked by a crocodile as it tries to flee. Just when it seems all hope is lost, a hundred buffaloes arrive, drive off the predators, and welcome the lost buffalo back into the herd.
He explained that this video was a powerful metaphor for his own life. He had felt overwhelmed and attacked from all sides, and was utterly lost. Yet, like the buffalo, he found the support and love of his church community, which helped him navigate his way back to God. He saw it as a beautiful representation of what the church should embody—a refuge for those who are lost and in need of support.
This story serves as a poignant reminder that people who seem distant or irregular in their attendance might be facing struggles we aren’t aware of. Our role as a church is to offer support and compassion, just as the herd of buffaloes did for one of their own. Whether you relate to the man in the story, feeling lost and in need of an encounter with God, or you see someone else in that position, it’s crucial to come together, pray, and support one another in finding the way back.
By embodying this spirit of support and understanding, we can make a real difference in the lives of those who need it most.
Listen to Hammo’s full message below.