Vulnerability

Vulnerability is something that we don’t like to entertain in our lives, but it is in fact a place of great strength and deep communication with people.  

We regard people with the ability to be vulnerable as rather extraordinary.  They appear to accept and to take in stride their humanity, their weakness and failures.  At times they appear to have a sense of faith that things will work together for good in uncertain situations or matters beyond their control.  In essence, they have an ability to live with a transparency of heart that invokes trust, understanding and empathy.  When they speak it strikes a deep resonating note in your heart as you realize that you aren’t alone in what you may be facing or dealing with.  And likewise they seem to listen with a sense of understanding that allows you to derive comfort in the sense that you are being heard and seen for who you truly are.  

So while we recognize the extraordinary character found in the life of one who is capable of being vulnerable with others, we realize this virtue is not common among us.  Your human nature can fear the through of being vulnerable - what will people think if we exposed our weaknesses, our needs, the pains, or even brokenness in our hearts and lives.  Would we be judged?  Would we be regarded differently?  Would we be shamed in some way?  Would be be treated differently?  These are all powerfully defining considerations in how we open our hearts and lives to people.

And yet, there are those who seem to get beyond this.  They have found a place of strength in vulnerability.  A place of mercy.  A place of safety where the opinion of people doesn’t matter or define them.  

Where does the journey to vulnerability begin?  I submit to you that the safest place that it finds its genesis is with the Father.  Your Heavenly Father is pure love.  He understands you.  He doesn’t judge you and cast you aside.  He is rich in mercy toward you.  He embraces you, comforts you and draws closer to you in your times of trial and great weakness.  He is profoundly close to you in your times of vulnerability.

As you open your heart to trust the Father in your vulnerability, you discover that He journeys with you into the pains in your heart.  He lifts the burdens and infirmities that weigh you down.  He ministers understanding.  He heals and restores.  In the place of vulnerability you discover He is profoundly present.  You are safe in your Father.  

This translates into how you give thanks and praise God as well.  Many people give thanks in a shallow way, intellectually, and not from the heart.  But when you open your heart to the Father to give thanks deeply, you process through the hardened exteriors of your heart into deeper places of tenderness where heartfelt thankfulness emerges.  Then like the drilling of a  well, as you go deeper and deeper, you enter into the artesian flow of the life of God.  As Jesus said, “out of your innermost being flows rivers of living water.”  Waters of thanksgiving, waters of life!

Remarkably, through a a journey of ever deepening vulnerability with the Father, you find life.  You experience Love - a love tailored for you, intimate and personal.  Life changing.  

From this journey of progressive life changing experiences of exchange through the interface of vulnerability, you discover a fortress of mercy, a fortress of protection, a fortress of safety as you find yourself living your life before an audience of One.  From this place of a transformed heart, you unconsciously live in the strength of vulnerability, not only before your Father, but in your relationships with people as well.  The fruit of this is that you become one of these extraordinary people.  One who connects with others deeply, sincerely, and relates to others without the veneers of self protection that convey superficiality and an absence of authenticity.  You are real.  You connect with people deeply.  And in your depth of your life transformation through vulnerability, you become a conduit of safety and healing for others.  One who relates to others with a deep understanding and genuinely hears with a loving and accepting heart.  

You are truly extraordinary. The alabaster box that contains the oil of healing through your life is opened by the love of the Father in your place of vulnerability before him and then to people.  What a wonderful gift you are. 

Loved people love.