Today’s jam at Faith Barista is about vulnerable love.
Vulnerable is not one of those words that I really enjoy…or even like very much for that matter.
Some people are really good at “putting themselves out there”, living in the moment and not worrying about it.
I am not one of those people.
To me, being vulnerable means opening myself up to hurt.
To misunderstanding. To possible embarrassment.
Vulnerability is akin to standing on the stage, with the spot light on me…all alone.
No, thank you.
No matter how hard I try to steer clear of it, I find myself in this exact position, on occasion.
I get lost. Sometimes it is difficult to find my way “back home”.
Straining to climb the mountains of life. Slipping. Fearing. Immobilized. Seemingly, all alone.
Scared out of my wits, sometimes by what is real, often times by scenarios I make up in my own mind.
Vulnerable.
Thankfully, on days like that, I am reminded of the parable that Jesus told to the teachers and lawyers of His time.
The story is found in the book of Luke, chapter 15.
The Parable of the Lost Sheep
1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
Jesus as shepherd.
Looking for the lost.
For the scared.
The alone.
The vulnerable.
His love encompasses them all.
Related articles
- A Father’s Extravagant Love (jamespaulgaard.wordpress.com)
- A Second Chance (cherylsjourneythrugrace53.wordpress.com)
- Why Jesus Taught In Parables (bodytheologyblog.wordpress.com)
- Vulnerable on Valentine’s (realisticwellness.wordpress.com)
It Just Dawned On Me 
He’s looking for the vulnerable. I’ve not thought about it in quite that way. But it inspires me to want to be even more vulnerable. I want to continue to be found by him.
Thanks for this, Dawn. You’re making me think.
I love the photo of the lost sheep and the Scripture passages. How like sheep we really are! I am so glad Jesus knows where we are and what causes us to run scared. He is always with us and for that I am so thankful.
blessings and love,
Debbie
Oh, I can’t stand being vulnerable “to misunderstanding” as you put it. I always feel like I have to explain myself (and so often it just doesn’t matter).
I love that parable as well. Such gracious love.
In the moments when we fear vulnerability it is good to remember that Jesus is our shepherd.
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