There I was, walking the familiar street. My neighbors were there, along with my sister, a friend from childhood, an acquaintance from high school, and the Immigration officer from our last visit to the Embassy. I bit my lip as I walked past them, their hushed snickering ringing in my ears. I looked down and gasped in horror as I realized I forgot to get dressed! 

Of course, this scenario was imaginary. A dream. But exposure and vulnerability are not confined to a subconscious dreamland. And the raw emotions that drove this dream, and others like it over the years, couldn’t be more real. 

There is a vulnerability that comes with opening yourself up to another culture, another language, another people. The tidy walls of your cultural comfort zone left behind, you boldly risk exposure to elements previously unexplored and uncomprehended. Beyond physical aspects of vulnerability come emotional tolls to such a life. The stress. The daily wear of unspoken expectations. The ache of homesickness. The spiritual dryness. 

Feeling overwhelmed, you choose to be vulnerable with a co-worker. You bite your lip and share a struggle. You hope she will listen. Offer a hug. Let you “ugly-cry” for a while. Share chocolate from her care package. 

She may misunderstand your pain. Even disapprove. Belittle your suffering. Give quick answers that (perhaps unintentionally) ring heartless.

Maybe you will begin to wonder if vulnerability and exposure are worth the risk. 

Jesus, too, was vulnerable. Left his home to come to ours. 

“He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief… He was despised, and we did not care.” Isaiah 53:3

Jesus’ obedience to vulnerability made possible our reconciliation with God–an outcome that was far worth every ounce of struggle! (Isaiah 53:10) 

Philippians 4:7 is a great reminder to me that HIS peace is always ready to guard and protect my vulnerable heart. My Great Comforter, well acquainted with grief, invites me to lay it all at His feet.

Dear friend, your beautiful vulnerability is worth the risk, and God will be faithful to use it for His glory!