This past week at Geek’d Con, we posed the ultimate geeky question: Who’s the strongest Ninja Turtle? 🐢 The answers were fantastic; everyone had reasons why their favorite turtle was the best. But as the conversations went on, one thing became clear: while each turtle has their own strengths, they shine the brightest when they’re together.

That truth isn’t just about our heroes in a half shell, it’s about us, too. And that’s exactly what we unpack in this week’s Geek Devotions episode. (If you’d rather watch than read, you can check out the full video below)

Lone Wolves vs True Community

In the comics and movies, we see what happens when Raphael storms off on his own or when the brothers split up. They might be strong individually, but it never quite works out. Even in The Last Ronin storyline, where Mikey becomes the most powerful turtle, his strength only comes from what he learned from his brothers. The lesson? None of them were ever meant to stand alone.

The same is true for us. Sometimes we buy into the “lone ranger” mindset, the idea that we don’t need anyone else. Maybe we feel abandoned. Maybe we think we’re the only ones who can get things done right. But that’s just not reality. We do need each other.

Paul writes about this in 1 Corinthians 3:5–6, where he says:

“What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.”

Even Paul, the superstar missionary of the early church, acknowledged that he couldn’t do everything alone. He needed Apollos. They both had roles to play, but only God could bring the results. That’s how the Body of Christ works: each of us has a role, and together we move forward.

And honestly, Geek Devotions itself wouldn’t exist without community. From our writers and podcast contributors to friends who encourage us, we rely on people every day. And it’s not just about making things happen, it’s about health. We need others to encourage us, challenge us, and help us grow.

Why This Matters for You

That’s why church community matters. Not just a building, but people, real, imperfect, encouraging people who walk with you. That said, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be part of a local community that meets in a church. Yes, the body of Christ is more than a building, but that building is where the people gather. Yes, it’s messy. Yes, people can hurt you. And if that’s happened, I’m truly sorry. But don’t let a bad experience isolate you from the very thing God designed to bring healing: community.

I needed Geek’d Con this year, not just to serve others, but to be encouraged myself. Seeing many of you at our booth, shaking hands, laughing together, and even snapping cosplay pictures lifted my spirit. Community works both ways. You were encouraged, but you also encouraged me.

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles struggled whenever they split up. We do too. When life gets hard, our instinct might be to pull away and isolate ourselves. But healing often comes through connection. You need others to walk with you, and they need you, too.

This isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being present. When we’re healthy, we can help others. And when we’re hurting, others can help us. That’s the beauty of community: it goes both ways.

So here’s the heart of today’s devotion: you are not alone, and you’re not meant to do this life by yourself. God has placed people around you for a reason. Lean into that. Don’t run from it. Like the Ninja Turtles, we’re simply better together.

Until next time—stay devoted. Peace and love.