Vulnerability

This Sunday, the sermon in church was about vulnerability.  Actually, the whole series this month involves people coming forward and discussing their personal issues: becoming vulnerable, stripping your problems away and laying them out in the open allows the entire church community to grow closer and more like the church God intended.

In relationships, sometimes we think that all that we need to do to be a good friend is to be there for the other person.  While this selflessness is probably the most essential part of friendship, it's one sided.  I know a lot of people who are good at reaching out but come across as "fake nice" because they don't allow others to reach out to them: they form this perfect persona on the outside and refuse to let anyone get close, especially the ones they reach out to.  As awful as it may seem, it's easy to be kind and outgoing to people that seem "below you" because it doesn't require forming a meaningful relationship; there's no risk involved.

I often start the new year by planning to be practically perfect: I resolve to do everything right, be completely organized, get all As in school, etc.  But obviously perfection is impossible.  It's not our job to plan everything we'll do better because we'll always end up disappointed.  Instead, be open to embarrasing yourself.  Putting yourself out on a limb to reach out to someone even if it doesn't come naturally.  It's not about self image or self improvement, it's about making a difference and doing things that are hard.  Because if you only do what you are comfortable with or skilled at, there will be no growth.  But this kind of lifestyle requires vulnerability: being able to set aside the identity you tried to create for yourself, whatever pride or need for control you may have, in order to become the person God wants you to be.