the beauty in vulnerability.

A big lesson I learned in July from my disciplining program was the beauty in being vulnerable. I am not a person that will openly tell you my real struggles and issues. I am one to act like everything is okay and be that person for someone else, which is amazing. But, man the Spirit moves when you confess to others. In James 5:16 it says, "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."  I am a living example of this truth. I have found that when I share my sins and struggles with other believers it is like a weight off my shoulders. I feel a peace come over me. God gave us a community for a reason, to bear each others burdens and pray together (Galations 6:2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.") - when we do that radical things happen.

Here is where my struggle comes in with this verse and concept. When we confess to others or open up to others it doesn't guarantee a life-long friendship or that that person will never disappoint you. We are sinful people and your heart can get hurt, but this is where I believe the Holy Spirit can guide you to be wise in opening up to people. But, it is a risk to be vulnerable. It is not common. But, it is far more dangerous to keep it all in. You can get hurt and I can almost guarantee you will, but then you will find those rare raw Christ-centered relationships where His glory is just overflowing, that is when the risk is worth it. 

But, please don't misunderstand where our faith comes from and what has ultimate value above all of these relationships and that is in the Alpha Omega. He is our ultimate fulfillment and you will go through periods of life where you don't have a strong Christ-loving community around you and that is when you draw near to God, be completely overwhelmed with His presence, (2 Peter 1:3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence...")

Then, those times where you have that community make sure you are drawing nearer to Christ, rather than each other. Drawing closer to our Creator will pull us closer as one together in Christ as a result.

Community is an amazing thing and so is vulnerability. It is a risk, but the life we are called to live for following Christ is a risk. So, don't be fearful when opening up to others, He is always right beside you and has an army of angles around you. Whatever may come out of your vulnerability we can always count on the fact that He is good and everlasting and never-changing. 

xo // Moriah