Vulnerable

The story is told of a monastery in Portugal, perched high on a 3,000 foot cliff and accessible only by a terrifying ride in a swaying basket. The basket is pulled with a single rope by several strong men, perspiring under the strain of the fully loaded basket. One American tourist who visited the site got nervous halfway up the cliff when he noticed that the rope was old and frayed. Hoping to relive his fear he asked, “How often do you change the rope?” The monk in charge replied, “Whenever it breaks!“

Well that’s comforting! If you asked the monk, “Is it safe?” he easily could have replied “yes”. Because that is relative. The man has to weigh his risks against the reward of the experience or destination. We all must do this every day. The only alternative is relative boredom and a nominal existence. For my household, every part of our life is an adventure in some way or another. Last summer we traveled cross country for vacation. We faced a few tornados and wound up right smack in the middle of a hurricane while driving the interstate. Life is an adventure. I must be candid with you, that I also enjoy peace and quiet. Left alone, I usually turn off the tv and turn on the radio. The simple life is much enjoyed in the house of Jones. 

Safety is valued at such a high premium today that risk is not just a dirty, but dire, word. So many more people today wouldn’t value the experience or destination of the monastery’s in life. They would rather spend their time in the wasteland of mediocrity. In one sense I don’t blame them, in another I have no choice. In the spirit-filled life we are only given the choice to follow (obey) or not (disobey). When choosing to obey, you chose risk. To avert all risk is inevitably to draw back and disobey. When God calls you to the mountain, you may fall, experience pain on the way, and even die. These factors are ever present in our minds, but the faith to carry on is ever more possible. Maybe, just maybe, we have it all wrong though. The scripture teaches us the destination, the experience is the goal, not the pain and hardship of climbing to it. You see the experience and the destination is Jesus. Our pursuits in this life, no matter how we justify them, are centered more around us than what God is calling us to. He is indeed calling you deeper still, higher still, further still. This climb, this walk, this journey you are on isn’t meant to be safe, or easy for that matter. It is meant to show off Jesus and His majestic ability to go beyond comforts and safety. He provides, when others think they have it all figured out. There is nothing impressive about a professional champion mountain climber, climbing a mountain. There is something more than awe inspiring though about a man with no legs and blind doing the same. 

As disciples of Jesus, it is imperative we accept our weaknesses and inabilities right up front. Next, don’t use them as an excuse, rather use them to show off the one who is carrying you through. You do realize that He’s been carrying you all along don’t you? Trusting Him with intentionality is essential to more growth in your spirit and in the lives of those you are surrounded with. 

The subjects of ‘safe’ and ‘unsafe’ really aren’t used in the scripture like we do today and definitely not as much as you think. Safety isn’t God’s deepest concern for us in this life. Our body will die anyway, our pain will come anyway, and our span can’t be adjusted anyway. If you don’t believe me, ask anyone over 90. They will tell you that life has been a journey. Ask one who is spiritually minded and they will tell you the risks for Jesus were worth it. Look at those who lived in their perceived safe conclave and your will find one miserable or controlling person. No thanks. I want to see God, more and more of Him, and that is just not possible in my safety-cave. 

Like it or not, you are vulnerable. Vulnerable is: ‘susceptible to physical or emotional attack or harm’. Susceptible is not the risk assessment man’s favorite word. Susceptible is unprotected. It is exposed, like a raw nerve. It is not what most believers see as ‘godly’ today. In fact, most would say it isn’t even God’s will. Try telling that to Jesus who died for you and I. Try telling that to each and every Apostle who gave their lives for others to hear the same story. They were vulnerable: in danger, in peril, in jeopardy, at risk, unsafe, unprotected, unguarded, open to attack, assailable, and exposed… for Jesus… for us. 

Paul the Apostle said it best in Philippians 3.8-12:

“Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ… That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.”

The destination is worth the risk, because Jesus is that destination.