Vulnerability – it’s what scares us the most yet provides for the biggest breakthroughs in our interpersonal relationships and with God. It’s something that we have to re-learn to use as a tool to experience what God called “fellowship”. Relationships are beautiful gifts that God designed into creation from the very beginning. However, they are hard. People are broken, people hurt people, people lie, fall short, don’t show up for you, and let you down daily. Without them though, life is bleak, pointless, void of laughter and joy, and far from the design that God intended his creation to thrive in. People bring the best out of each other too : they can encourage, illuminate, and share joy. Our relationship with God correlates directly to the health and fruit of our relationships while on earth, and let me explain why. The amount we let God into our hearts and into our vulnerability changes everything about us. When we let God into our lives and into our battles, something natural occurs. Just like a human relationship, you begin to trust Him more and more. Trust is what develops faith, and faith is what moves mountains and truly transforms the heart. It’s what allows us to tell mountains of anxiety, depression, fear, worry, shame and guilt, to move, to fall.
The more you trust God, the more you surrender to God. The more you surrender to God, the more life and freedom on the other side.
Enter again vulnerability. It’s something that a lot of us struggle with, especially men. Many fathers teach their sons to “toughen up” or to “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” if you ever are dealing with emotional pain. This solution to emotions only builds a wall between using your pain as actually one of the most powerful tools in your life. Yes powerful. As a man, one of the greatest strengths you can have is the ability to be vulnerable, to let your guard down, to show emotion. It doesn’t just bring personal freedom but it acts as a light onto your brothers and sisters around you. When we step out in faith and illuminate our suffering, shame, sin, or guilt, we are also acting as a light source to others who are walking through the same struggles. Taking the initiative to be vulnerable first is what makes a great leader, friend, lover. It is an opportunity to free yourself from carrying your weight alone, and also to let those you love know that you trust them. And a beautiful thing happens: they start to trust you more.
Jesus saves us from the crushing weight of having to be perfect. He saves us from striving for strength and toughness. He looks at sin and failure and says here is truth and love and acceptance instead of shame, misery, and guilt.
I believe that right now, any of you who read this, God wants more freedom for you. Whatever has you weighed down, whatever is stealing your joy, whether it be your job, relationship, situation, or illness, God sees you and He understands. Let him in. Trust him. Open your heart to him and be vulnerable with Him. Cast your worry and fear and shame onto Him. Jesus took the full weight of all these things on the cross and paid for your freedom. When you come into relationship with him and believe He is who he says he is, you receive the greatest advocate/healer/redeemer in the universe. You no longer need to meditate and manifest your way through your pain. You no longer need to turn to the world for your peace and comfort. Jesus opened the door for all of his children to walk across into the threshold of freedom, love, and joy that comes with a relationship with the creator of the universe. He is our source.
I remember when He came to me and told me it was time to let the wall down. The pursuit of his love was portrayed as a mighty storm that was bashing relentlessly against the wall I had built around my heart. I let it fall. I let my creator calm the waters around me. I trusted his goodness and his love for me and I was transformed forever because of it.
My heart used to bleed. It used to keep others I loved at a distance to ensure safety.
Now it calms others. Now it radiates peace. Now it is set free. Changed forever.
You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your faith and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16
