The Power of Vulnerability
written by Rev. Dr. Scott Paczkowski
“‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.’ So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weakness, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. ”
There are numerous definitions of weakness. Many are incomplete or downright wrong. Examples of improper definitions of weakness include those who are poor, immigrants, pacifists, those who are physically weak, older adults, etc. Jesus was considered weak. He didn’t rally troops to his defense or establish power through economic superiority. Jesus was our world’s definition of weakness. Jesus remained vulnerable.
In “The Guts to Be Vulnerable,” Thomas Oppong celebrates the gift of vulnerability. “Being vulnerable means being honest with yourself. It’s admitting you’re scared, lonely, or confused. You can’t heal what you refuse to acknowledge. Vulnerability isn’t just about letting others see you; it’s about letting yourself see you.” In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus is praying to God. The Messiah’s prayer is theologically awkward. If Jesus is the second person of the Trinity, then isn’t Jesus just praying to himself?
In Jesus, God emptied a part of himself, became vulnerable, and became one with us. During Jesus’ time on earth, there was a distinctiveness between himself and the Godhead. Yet, on another level, Jesus also talked to himself as part of the Trinity. Jesus prayerfully reminded himself/Godself that he was “scared, lonely, or confused.” Jesus was removing his fear by acknowledging his emotional vulnerability. When Jesus named the fear, his vulnerability became his ally. Jesus’ vulnerability became the tool that reconciled the world.
Our lives find their blessing in the most vulnerable places. Loved ones die. Careers are shortened. Vulnerability and perceived weakness are where we find true strength. We develop our strength through the practice of enduring and overcoming hardship. Hardship isn’t a weakness. Weakness is the recognition that we are not all-powerful. Weakness turns to divine strength when we name and accept our limitations. We find real power when we hand our limitations over to the One with the loving power to bring lasting wholeness.
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