From April 22: Vulnerability
A conversation I had with a dear friend the other day got me pondering about what it means to open yourself up to love through vulnerability. The origin of the word vulnerable comes from the Latin word vulnus, which means wound. Growing up we experience all these different types of wounds; broken families, internal struggles, unhealthy relationships, and the list goes on. Wound after wound after wound, until eventually we no longer have to wonder why we’ve built up skyscraper high walls and defenses. However, the Lord continues to remind us that joy can be found in the exposure of our own hearts. He can and will find ways through grace to expose our hearts for Him. It’s in this exposure that we empty ourselves of everything we cling onto in order to let our Lord meet us right where we are in our vulnerability. For when we are vulnerable enough to let the Lord in, then can He transform our hearts and replace suffering with hope.
“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable.” – C.S. Lewis