I sit in a cold room in Serbia, nearing midnight. The metal has warmed in my hand. I’ve gotten into the habit of holding my necklace, clinging to it like a promise. During launch, we were each given a key that had been prayed over and a word chiseled onto it. It was a reminder we wore, a promise to seek out that word in ourselves.
My key marked 2 Corinthians 12, in reference to verses 9-10: But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Essentially, it was a reference to vulnerability, an expression of authenticity. It’s about being real. It’s confessing my past, and all the ways I’m still broken. So as I carry this key, I pray for vulnerability. When I hold the metal, I hold onto the promise that I will be able to open myself up freely without all the gates that need to be unlocked. It’s not about being weak. It’s about being honest about my brokenness and accepting of God’s grace. I cannot describe a greater strength than to remove pride and adorn grace.
And I wait in hope for the moment I find someone who needs to understand and grow in the strength of vulnerability and I can hand them the key because I’ve learned how to open the door.
