Vulnerable

In a world so absorbed in the outward appearance of others, on physical  attributes and features, we have seemed to forget entirely about the beauty of the soul. Social media, social norms and expectations, sitcoms, movies, and every other form of worldly influence, has manipulated us into living like robots. We all try and have the upper hand, planning our moves, our words and our actions at least three steps ahead. In doing this, in always trying to be in control, we lose sight of the value of living in the moment. We give ourselves over to the world, and, through this, we fail at giving ourselves over to The Lord. 

It's so simple to fall into a habit of keeping others at a distance; it becomes natural to always monitor your words, and fear you make speak to openly; sometimes this even transcends into the conversations we have with God. We don't hold back because we are too afraid to talk with God openly-- we hold back simply because the world has made us forget how to be open and vulnerable. The sad truth is that God wants that vulnerability; God wants that openness, complete and total vulnerable openness. If we can't be open with God--if we can't be vulnerable before God, we will never be open or vulnerable with each other. And we need that ability to be open with one another if we ever want to build and establish a real and lasting relationship. 

It takes a long time for us to realize the detrimental affect that the world can, and has, had on our hearts and minds. The defense mechanisms we create are real, and the walls we build up to keep others away from us are real, too. In the same way that it takes years to build up all these ways of keeping others out, it also takes years to relearn how to not use them in our daily lives. 

Sometimes we just have to allow ourselves to remember what it felt like to be a child and to trust others with no sense of doubt. Sometimes all we have to do is tell ourselves that we are going to dive in, with no regard for what may happen, trust blindly, and have faith that everything will turn out exactly how it is meant to. That's what will always happen, anyway, isn't it? It's not that we are trusting in people, but it's simply about trusting in God to guide you, and those around you, in the right direction; it's about trusting in God to bring out the best in others, the true beauty and goodness from within them, and allow that to become a part of your life. It's when you give people this kind of trust, and you allow them to become this close to you, that you remind them what it is to really be trusted and believed in by another person. This is what helps them return to that level of vulnerability and unfaltering faith in another person that they had so easily as a child. 

In a world so lost and broken, so focused on fitting in with social norms, and keeping everyone in our lives at a distance, it is up to every individual to make a difference in his or her own life. If we want to be trusted by others, if we want to draw closer to others and feel real connections, we need to be willing to give trust, to be vulnerable, to jump into friendships and relationships trusting not only in the other person, but also in Christ and His ability to guide and lead both of you to where you are meant to be, while guarding your hearts for you, along the way.