It’s uncomfortable to feel exposed. 

Knights wore full sets of armor to make sure they were not vulnerable to attacks from their enemies. Aren’t we sometimes tempted to do the same? 

I don’t want to risk being exposed as a mess-up, as a mom-without-a-plan, as teetering on the edge of chaos, as constantly forgetting to do the things I meant to do, as feeling overwhelmed by daily life. I don’t want to risk being exposed in the sin struggles I can’t quite beat. 

I’m afraid to lose the approval of man. I’m afraid to hear someone say, “Wow, you are pretty pathetic.” 

But the work of God in me needs to involve the dismantling of pride and the growing dependence on God to show through in my life. As Paul says, if I am seeking the approval of people, I would not be a servant of God. (Galatians 1:10) 

We have been given the knowledge of His power and glory, even though we are weak and don’t have it all together. This way God gets the glory! (2 Corinthians 4:6-7) 

Being vulnerable is an act of humility and a courageous dismissal of pride. It’s a declaration that my identity as a child of God is not dependent on a shiny picture but on the incredible power of God to do wonderous things with limited, broken people.  

It is a humble declaration that I need a big God every day, that I am a child in need of a Father, that I am a sinner in need of a savior.  

And being vulnerable with others invites them into the space where they don’t have to have it all together either. Where your neighbor can lay down shame and your coworker can lay down the stress to perform and all can find their identity and worth in God’s love for us. Where we can all trust a big God who can do things that are impossible for us to ever do. 

I don’t have it all together, but I know who holds it all together and my name is written on His hand and in His book of life, and that’s where my peace comes from. It doesn’t come from looking put-together, but from admitting that I’m not.