The Hidden Power Found in Being Vulnerable
The entire Bible is composed of stories. Their primary purpose is to testify of God’s greatness by leading others to the cross. They are meant for “...teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ” 2 Timothy 3:16. Just the as the Bible is filled with stories, so is our life. We form our own testimony of God’s greatness through our times of prosperity, hardship and vulnerability. God has a specific plan for those times of hardships. Romans 8:28 states “all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
In fact, Jesus never tells us this life will be easy.
We will experience many hardships, but the end reward is well worth the suffering and pain, John 16:33 says “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”What I have noticed is the lack of these hardships being shared amongst one another. It is as if people are ashamed when they are not living a perfect life. David, a mighty King whom people saw as being an all Godly and perfect man, did not live a perfect life. David is known throughout the Bible for being completely vulnerable in sharing both the good and bad. One story that stands out to me is the story of King David and Bathsheba. A man of such high religious status fell into temptation and ended up having an affair with Bathsheba, all while killing a blameless man so that he could take her as his wife.At first glance this story seems like defeat, but God takes what was intended for evil and uses it for good. David teaches us that even the best of us can fall, but even to the least of us, God's grace is freely available.
For we have all fallen short of the glory of God and are in need of grace.
Take those weaknesses and boast in them, 2 Timothy 1:8 “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God.”
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King David’s story has been told for centuries as encouragement that we too can stumble and fall. Rest assured that God takes us back with open hands. David says in Psalms 119:46, “I will also speak of your testimonies before kings and shall not be put to shame.” No sin is too big for Him. Imagine the impact of our stories if we put down our pride and became as vulnerable as King David?
A man stumbles in darkness because he has no one to guide his path. But we have been delivered from darkness and our life should be lived in light were shame does not grow.
When Adam and Eve committed the first sin they immediately went and hid. They felt ashamed and did not want to come into the light with their problem. We do the same thing. When we sin, instead of running to God we hide behind the things of this world. We think it will make the situation better. Our darkness is found in placing walls up that keep us from experiencing Gods healing. Proverbs 28:13 says, “Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.” We conceal our transgressions with many things. With alcohol, drugs, violence, sex, eating disorders, cutting and so on. Our transgressions form wounds that only worsen because they are left unattended. We have to understand that in order to fully experience God we have to let down our walls. We can do this by completely surrendering everything to Christ.
God needs us to be vulnerable, honest, and humble with him and fellow Christians.
We need community to help keep us accountable to the ways of God and we need to be honest with God. This will allow us to experience his complete healing and restoration. Satan wants to take your hardships and tell you that you are worthless. Tell you that God will never want such a sinful person. But God, a merciful all loving God wants to use your stories to further his kingdom and make disciples. Romans 8:1 NIV “For there is no condemnation in Christ Jesus.” Healing available to all, we have to be willing to step away from our wall and step into light.Jesus’s story of rising from the dead has been the very thing that has kept our faith. It has encouraged us to stay strong until his return. Jesus encourages us before he leaves “Go and make disciples of all Nations.” Do not let your stories of how God has worked in you go untold. Go and tell of his great works!