SEPTEMBER 17 : “ENCOURAGE VULNERABILITY AND TRUTH IN RELATIONSHIPS – TRANSPARENCY”

Human beings are naturally attracted to authenticity and abhor falsehood, except they are not children of light. When we confess offenses which ordinarily might not be found out without this confession, we feel humbled and are watchful unto prayers so that we not be obliged anymore to undergo the painful humiliation of acknowledging our weakness or infidelity to our brethren.

When we confess our failings, it allows us to see each other’s true self, our vulnerability and makes brethren to have empathy to each other’s emotion and experiences, feelings and deepest insecurities without creating false fronts. This draws us to pray one for another, building deeper emotional connections. The confession of our humanness demonstrates a willingness to be open and honest which builds trust and confidence, engendering better communications, more openness. This effectively allows brethren to understand each other’s perspectives and needs, leading to better conflict resolution, creating a more authentic and genuine connection which mirrors Jesus’ interaction with his disciples.

With the barrier of falsehood and pretences broken through confession and being deliberately vulnerable, authenticity becomes the nature of the church community which leads to healing and eventual growth, as believers share their struggles and receive support (2 Cor 1:3-4) while reflecting Jesus’ teaching and ministering to unbelievers at large.

Am I presenting a front of being perfect within my Christian community? Do I give authentic impression of my walk with the Lord? Do I seek to be vulnerable and truthful to other believers? Can I say that my Christian community truly knows who I am?

PRAYER: My Lord and Saviour; Help me to conquer the innate fear of being taken advantage of which has hindered my submission to vulnerability and transparency. Bring me to understand that vulnerability in the church is to trust in your sovereignty and goodness to always take care of me and all situations that may arise, so that the barriers to intimacy may be removed, Amen.