This sentence is gonna sound a bit like a contradiction to the previous blog I posted about the beauty of weakness but bare with me for a moment and you will see how it fits in together.
The world teaches us that vulnerability equals weakness but actually vulnerability equals beautiful strength. It is much more difficult to be vulnerable and honest about how you feel than not. It is when we are real and share the rawness of what is really going on in our heart, that takes so much boldness and courage.
Since Jesus have taught me about vulnerability two years ago I've loved it. Just the whole concept of Jesus being vulnerable on the cross and because of that vulnerability, He actually set the whole world free- which is so amazing!
Jesus is especially teaching me now about vulnerability in a team. It's no longer just me and God. Or just me and a friend. But a whole team of 9 people.For a person who never played team sports and hated school tasks which involved groups working together, this was and still is a HUGE challenge.
But I've really come to learn how precious team is and how each team member brings a special kind of treasure to the treasure chest. Each member is so needed and has such an unique role that is irreplaceable.
For so long I felt stuck with this lie from the enemy that I never add value to any team.. Any team would be perfectly fine without me. Jesus so gracefully came and broke down that lie and now I can not even imagine doing this year on my own or without my team. PS I feel SO LOVED.
We can so easily fall into that trap thinking that you are not needed in the team or thinking that your other team members don't care about you, which is a great big LIE. The body of Christ is there for a reason. If team weren't important there would only be a head or only a hand etc. We grow much and beautifully in community. We learn to admire other's strengths without questioning our own weaknesses. We are built up. We encourage and are ABLE to encourage and give hope.
Anyway back to vulnerability... For a team to be functional and thriving unity is needed. For unity, trust among each other is needed. And vulnerability establishes trust. When I started acknowledging my struggles, my fears, my doubts, my hopes, my TESTIMONY- I started walking in freedom. That is where trust is built.
Out of this trust between team members one team members' victory and joy is everyone's victory and joy and one team members' dissapointment is everyone's disappointment. And it's all because of vulnerability. Of coming to that place in your heart of letting people in. Letting people see the real you, the raw feelings, the journey of where you are and what you have been through - this brings freedom to you as well as others.
Vulnerability isn't easy and it brings the risk of being rejected. But look at the cross. Look at how Jesus hang nakedly, unrecognizable, being ultimately vulnerable because of LOVE. And He KNEW He was going to be rejected. Only out of vulnerability we can fully receive His love and give His love to the world around us.
I've struggled for two weeks to write this blog because I was supposed to share about our Luke 10 journeys and I didn't know what to say or where to begin. I also felt God was leading me to share on vulnerability but I didn't know how that fitted into Luke 10. But now I also see how our whole life is about being vulnerable. You are especially vulnerable when you are hungry, cold, not knowing where you are going to sleep that night, not being given a lift when hitchhiking and still very far from where you need to be.
I have spoken about healing the brokenhearted and setting the captives free in my previous blog. When you are in these vulnerable moments you actually relate to the things people are going through that you are going to minister to in the nations. And when that breakthrough come in that vulnerable place, (like being blessed with food or a bed on your Luke 10 journey) you experience the absolute joy the brokenhearted and captive will experience when breakthrough comes.
That is true freedom and true joy! This is the beauty of vulnerability. Laying down yourself, your walls around your heart, your masks, your defense mechanisms. It is in the body of Christ where you learn to love wholeheartedly and receive love wholeheartedly.