Vulnerability: 11 Bulletin Board Points

Lately, I’ve been entertaining the concept of vulnerability. But I don’t want to talk about it. ;o) Actually I do but don’t have enough cohesive thoughts to put in paragraph form so instead I offer these 11 bulletin board points:

* I’ll be the first to admit it isn’t easy to say, “I feel overwhelmed”, “I’ve been wrong” or “I’m hurting” without feeling like a failure or worrying about repercussions. It’s much easier to convince myself that, “Nothing’s wrong”, “I’ll be fine” or “I’m not bitter, just hurt.”

* As Christians we’ve somehow given the mistaken notion that we have to have it all together and to acknowledge otherwise makes us immature failures.

* Worrying about what others think and protecting our image is a death blow to vulnerability.

* When I wall myself in and others out, I run the risk of convincing myself everything is okay and short circuiting the Spirit’s work.
* Christians have struggles, weaknesses and sin issues like everyone else. Vulnerability admits it and allows us to take an honest look to see what’s going on beneath the surface.

* Transparency is like looking into a café window and seeing me sitting at a table. You can see me with clarity, make some observations, but we have no meaningful interaction. Vulnerability on the other hand is when you step inside the café, sit down beside me, and we share honest open conversation.

* Transparency says, “I’m struggling” but holds you at arm’s length. Vulnerability says, “I’m struggling” and invites input.

* Transparency is good. Vulnerability is better.

* My inheritance in the Gospel reveals my true character, my true self, my true identity.

*Seeing myself in honesty allows the Spirit to continually apply the implications of that Gospel to my interior life and transform me.

* It’s freeing to live life without having anything to prove.