A few days ago I talked about vulnerability and how even the very sound of the word can send shivers up the backs of so many. How guilt and shame can build up in our lives, keeping us from living as God intended us to live.
Free, humble, loving… and vulnerable.
For many people authentic living is a scary nightmare. Putting yourself out there for all to see. But what I hope you see is that the more you open up to yourself and to others, accepting your flaws and failures, the more empowered you become. But listen, vulnerability isn’t always expressing some secret sin or, like in my case, writing a tell-all book about your drug addiction.
Vulnerability is a lifestyle that says, I am okay with who I am because I know God created me just how he intended.
Vulnerability is admitting fault.
Vulnerability is praising others over yourself.
Vulnerability is offering forgiveness when others won’t forgive.
Here are few other things vulnerability is…
Vulnerability is the best kind of accountability – When you open up with someone, they are free to be open with you. This openness slays any shame that separated the relationship in the past and instantly creates trust, which leads to accountability. It’s hard to be in an accountable relationship with someone you don’t trust. It’s even harder to be vulnerable with them.
When you choose to let others inside your well-protected private life, you invite a level of accountability that’s very hard to reproduce otherwise. For example, the more I openly share about my past failures with drugs, alcohol, and the like, the more inherently accountable I am to those I share with. It’s called social accountability or social expectation.
Vulnerability is humility – If you need some lessons in humility, try being ferociously vulnerable for a few days. Vulnerability will humble you in a heartbeat. As we verbalize our true thoughts, doubts, and fears, we are able to come to grips with the intrinsic flaws that lie within us all. The simple point is this: vulnerability reminds us we’re human. We’re flawed from the get-go.
Vulnerability is a leader – The best kind of leader is a vulnerable one, someone willing to admit when they’re hurting, in doubt, or need help. No one wants to follow the leader who knows it all and acts like they have it all together. People crave the leadership of those who have walked where they have, those who have experienced brokenness and have made it through. A vulnerable leader embodies a broken and contrite spirit. This spirit is contagious, drawing followers like a magnet. A humble, vulnerable leader recognizes that all the power, talent, and ability they possess were graciously given to them. It’s not of them, that they are anything. It’s all a gift from God.
I hope you now have a glimpse of the power that vulnerability possesses. It’s not a magic trick or a shock-and-awe strategy to get attention, but rather a way to more deeply connect with those around us. And isn’t that what we are all after? Meaningful relationships. Love. Genuine acceptance.
Today, take a step away from shame and towards the Savior. Allow Him to humble your spirit, trusting that you are always safe in the palm of His hand.
