Vulnerable Faith

Then Jesus said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” Matthew 26:37-38

Vulnerable Faith

            Just when you think of Jesus and his perfection before God

we read a passage like the above and realize how vulnerable Jesus was. He did not want to be alone in this time of need. He needed his closest friends with him.And what did they do as he poured out his heart to God? They slept. But they did not leave him, yet. They were there waiting with him and watching for something to happen. They were unsure but Jesus knew, “the hour had come”. He was in a vulnerable position. He could have walked away but what would this have helped.

            We too find ourselves in times when we are vulnerable and it is easy to give up or walk away but if we disclose that secret vulnerable self to another the relationship that begins is incredible. Yes being vulnerable means taking risk but if we protect ourselves with secrecy and hypocrisy, we build a prison inside ourselves that locks away our hearts from others.

            But it is difficult to be vulnerable and open our hearts up because we’re afraid others will criticize, ostracize or even be disgusted at the ‘real’ us when they discover that we are not perfect or that our image does not match reality. Ironically however, those who hear our stories are not real to the image we project on them either. It is a matter of faith when we look to Jesus. He was overwhelmed and wanted his friends to be with him, just to be present. He was struggling and needed them.

            Healthy Christians can admit their struggles, their failures, their sins and their emotional weakness. They do not have to pretend they are always on top of the world. They can admit when they are wrong and they are real. We each need to be able to let God be in control  for we have nothing to lose by being real-except our pride.

REFLECTION:

Jesus was real as he prepared for his arrest and trial. He wanted his closest friends with him to watch. They fell asleep but he knew that they were present with him and did not wander away. Jesus was in a vulnerable position as he waited to be arrested and by opening his heart to his friends and asking their support, he enabled a closer relationship to develop. He made himself vulnerable so that others would draw closer to him. What is it that you need to do so that others see the real you? How often have you thought about the you that others see, and the real you? Is there a big difference in these? What might you do to change it? Sharing in prayer is the first step:

PRAYER:

Holy God, you know e through and through; even better than I know myself, even better than my real self. Open my hearts and come and make me yours. I have many struggles, failures, sins and weaknesses but through O God, I may become well, stronger and better.

Show me who you are for me and enable me to draw closer to you as you come to me. Come to me O God of love. Amen.

This reflection is based upon ideas of by Stephen Arterburn and Jack Felton More Jesus Less Religion: Moving from Rules to Relationship. Colorado Springs, Co: Waterbrook Press,2000.     Chapter 8