THE RISK AND REWARD OF VULNERABILITY
“For my people and I have been sold to those who would kill, slaughter, and annihilate us. If we had merely been sold as slaves, I could remain quiet, for that would be too trivial a matter to warrant disturbing the king." "Who would do such a thing?" King Xerxes demanded. "Who would be so presumptuous as to touch you?" Esther replied, "This wicked Haman is our adversary and our enemy."
Esther 7:4-6a (NLT)
Esther was a woman who took a huge risk. She was one of the Jewish exiles, and she won favor with King Xerxes, becoming queen. As the queen, she was uniquely placed to help her people, but she still risked her life by declaring that she was a Jew. Yet she knew that the time was right to reveal this to the king, to help save her people. She risked it all to save them all.
This is always a difficult thing to do. We struggle with this in our lives. We risk a lot when we become vulnerable with people. They might use our vulnerability against us, but it might also be a great thing. At one point in my life, I was struggling with anxiety and depression and needed to talk to my boss about it. I knew that this had the potential to go wrong. What if he thought less of me, and my role would be diminished? What if it led to me being let go because I wasn’t strong enough to do the job? I had to set that aside and share. I was vulnerable and laid it all out. My boss was understanding and helped me through the situation, praying with me. He walked with me as I overcame the situation.
We never know the outcome in advance, but sometimes we have to be vulnerable. Always pray and seek God's help to know when to do that.
APPLICATION: Find someone with whom you can be vulnerable this week and share with them if needed. Be the person with whom others can be vulnerable.
PRAYER: Abba, I ask You to help me find those I can rely on and with whom I can be vulnerable. Help me discern when to share and when not to. Help others see me as a trusted friend. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?