Friday, February 24, 2017

Let them see your flaws.

The past few days, I've been listing to pastor Chuck Swindoll's messages that play on the radio in the evening. Normally I turn them down and let it play in the background while I cook supper. But when I turned on the radio on Tuesday, the subject he was talking about really caught my attention.



His message was on Being Vulnerable.  As I listened, it hit me hard. I only heard half of the message, but it's been on my mind all week.
As Christians, we often times feel like we have to have our act together. We have the answer to our problems, so this means we should have the answers to everything. Right?
But . . .Should we really?

Perhaps one of the best ways we can be a witness to others is by showing them our cracks. We have the light of Christ inside of us, but unless we become vulnerable, unless we allow others to see our brokenness, the light inside cannot shine through.

So many times it is in our humanity, in showing unbelievers that even as Christians we're not prefect that we are the best witness for Christ. We don't have all the answers. The difference is . . . we know and trust someone who does. And when people see that we trust in something greater than ourselves to answer the questions we have, they want that. Because the human heart cries out for meaning, to know the One who knows all things.

It's okay to say "I don't know" when someone asks you a question about Christianity.

Why do we go through such trials in this life?
Why does someone we know suddenly get diagnosed with cancer?
How can a loving God let the wickedness in the world go on?

Friends, we don't know the answers to these questions. And we never will until our pilgrimage on this earth has ended and we walk through the pearly gates.

But we serve a God who does know. We serve a God who is in control of everything. And one day we'll see how all the events of this life were woven into a tapestry by our God.

Moving onto a something that is perhaps more relatable . . . are you knowledgeable on a certain subject, such as technology, literature, cooking, baking, etc?
For me, it's medicine. No, I'm not in the medical field yet, but I LOVE studying medicine. This means that a lot of the time, because of that,  I get asked questions about it. And you know, so often it feels like I have to have the answer. But I've realized that we're human. We're not going to have the answer all the time. And that is perfectly okay.

Because we're not perfect. We're flawed.

It's our brokenness that brings us to Christ, and so often it's in our flaws that others are drawn to what we have. Why? Because admitting we don't know that answer shows something that is rare.

It shows humility.

It's good to have answers, but even better is knowing the One who knows the answers we don't have.

So let people see your flaws. Don't try and be perfect, or put on a perfect front. Because no one is perfect, and when people see you working so hard to try and be flawless, they are often pushed away.

Let's be real. And though it can be so hard, let's be vulnerable.  Let's show others our weaknesses, and in doing so, draw them to the Healer.

Everyone is weak, and only in Christ can we truly be strong. Let's show others that He is our strength.

2 Corinthians 12: 9-10 
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.


Isaiah 40: 28-31 
Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.
He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.


18 comments:

  1. This is beautiful Jesseca. Lovely post and a good reminder <3

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  2. My thoughts when I saw the title of this post just now went something like "Yay! You did it!! :D" But even thinking back on our conversation the other day, I didn't realize how hard your words would hit me.

    Especially "Why does someone we know suddenly get diagnosed with cancer?" We don't know anything for sure, but pray for the family in our church that I mentioned last night. <3

    Amazing post, girlie. It helped me a lot this morning. Those verses are amazing. <3 *hugs*

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    1. Hehe, yep, I did do it. ;) Aww. I'm glad they were an encouragement. <3

      Praying, and so happy to hear the good report! God is so good!

      *hugs* I'm glad. Praise the Lord He was able to use it to speak you you! <3

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  3. Wow. This post. What I needed to hear. You're so right. We need to be real to other people and vulnerable and God uses those things to draw us and others to Him.
    Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Sometimes we hear something and don't realize how much we needed it till later. That was my experience with the message I heard. :)

      My pleasure; I'm so glad it was able to be an encouragement! <3

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  4. WOW this has been on my heart for awhile now and you put it into words beautifully!!!!

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  5. Good post! I have a lot of friends that aren't Christians, and I totally agree that not showing your flaws and being real is a huge turn off!
    -Gray Marie
    graymariewrites.blogspot.com

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    1. Yeah, I think there's a fine line to it, and I know it can be difficult at times. But at the same time . . . yeah, the real us is so much better than who we always try to appear.

      Thanks! So glad you enjoyed, and thank you for commenting!

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  6. This post.... this is amazing. We humans can't always see the bigger picture. We just have today. We have this world- with the evil that seems to be uncontrollable. The hurt that seems unfix-able. But as Christians, we have the Creator and Savior of the world to put our trust in. We do not have to know the future, or the answers to every question, because it is impossible. But we CAN love our Lord, and by doing so, showing to others that us Christians by no means have it together. But God does.
    Thank you for this post, Jesseca. It is so true, and it's what I've been kind of thinking about lately... ♥
    -Angela | thepeculiarmessenger.wordpress.com

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    1. Awww, thanks, Angela. <3 YES! Everything you said! It's been something I've been learning over the past few years, and as much as I'd like to say I've learned my lessons, most likely God will be teaching me more about it my whole life.

      Thank you so much for your comment! Yeah, it's been heavy on my heart as well. :) <3

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  7. It's amazing how this topic of vulnerability is coming up more and more! I guess we're all feeling unsatisfied with a life on the surface.. Anyway, all that to say: I really appreciated your thoughts on vulnerability, Jesseca! And that passage from Isaiah is one of my favourites - it's so encouraging. Thanks again! xx

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    1. Yeah, I've noticed it a bit more lately . . . I think in a way it addresses some concerns and burdens people have been having for a long time, but have been hesitant or even unwilling to share. I know hearing more on the subject has been sun at encouragement to me. :)
      So glad you enjoyed! And yes, that verse is awesome!! :D

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  8. I really enjoyed this post, Jesseca! :) That verse from Isaiah is one of my many favorites. :)

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    1. Glad it was a blessing! Yesss, it is so good!

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    1. *nods* That's what his message was for me right when I needed it.

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