You Can’t Have Bold Faith Without Being Vulnerable

It’s scary being vulnerable isn’t’ it?  When we share something vulnerable with someone there is always that moment of angst wondering if the other person will laugh at you, ridicule you, or hopefully empathize with you.  However, without vulnerability we can’t have a bold and courageous faith.

Related Content: Taking our Inheritance With Courage

Biblical Examples of Vulnerability

Jesus and the Cross

Matthew 26:39 - Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” (NIV)

We’ll start with an easy example of vulnerability which is found in Matthew 26 verse 39.  Here we see Jesus literally falling on his face crying out to God, our father, asking to not be put to death on the cross.  We can read and feel through this verse that Jesus was in distress and despair with his impending sufferings and death.  Jesus opened up to his father, with tears streaming down his check as he expressed his true feelings.If Jesus would have been nonchalant about going to the cross would it make his sacrifice and death less courageous?  I would argue that the answer to that question is Yes!  The fact that we have a better idea of his true feelings (aka being vulnerable) going into those gruesome events makes his obedience and faith all the bolder and more courageous in my opinion.

Peter Stepping out of the Boat

Matthew 14:28-29 - 28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”29 “Come,” he said.  Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. (NIV)

Peter was an interesting guy.  He was the loudmouth of the disciples but yet he also got to do some incredible things.  One of those incredible things was the ability to walk on water.  As you can see in Matthew 14:28-29 above, Peter called out to Jesus and asked him a big question that could only be answered by Jesus himself, “tell me to come to you on the water.”Peter risked his life by stepping out of that boat onto choppy and crashing waves.  His life was in a state of vulnerability, but he didn’t care because he knew it was Jesus on the water and Peter wanted to be with Him no matter the cost.I think back to the times I’ve opened up and been vulnerable with others.  Jesus has used those conversations and moments to glorify Him.  However, there are a lot of instances I wasn’t vulnerable and I regret not acting on that prompting, but thankfully God’s grace is sufficient!