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If you’ve followed Rebecca St. James’ career it’s not only her music that she’s passionate about. She often will put herself out in front with her actions and words. She posted this blog recently as a way to to encourage you.
Not too long ago I was greatly impacted by something my life coach did. I was sharing about the challenges of keeping balance in ministry. As usual he listened intently and then brought wisdom to the table. At the end of the conversation, he shared that in his own life he too had struggled with exactly the same thing. I was so impressed that he, in his position of leadership, was so vulnerable with me.
Often I’ve felt that professionalism requires a strong front rather than what many people perceive as a sign of weakness. Over the last few years I have learned that sometimes one of the most powerful and surprisingly strong things we can do as leaders is to share vulnerably at appropriate times. This invites beautiful community. We all hurt and by sharing in this way, as led by God, we invite others to relate deeply with us.
I have a very open and honest relationship with my best friend Karleen. She is married and has four kids. It’s amazing because she lives in a completely different world from my life, yet we have so much in common! When we get together we can relate on so many levels. Spiritually, she’s strong—she brings accountability and encouragement to me. Sometimes we are going through the same things, or have similar challenges in our lives, but they are due to a completely different set of circumstances. I constantly see how God has ordained our friendship and provided us for each other. I so see God’s beautiful hand on our friendship.
The apostle Paul once wrote these challenging words: “Oh, dear Corinthian friends! We have spoken honestly with you. Our hearts are open to you. If there is a problem between us, it is not because of a lack of love on our part, but because you have withheld your love from us. I am talking now as I would to my own children. Open your hearts to us!” (2 Corinthians 6:11-13, NLT).
Hearts wide open before others. That’s a very cool thought. If we live with a purity of spirit we’ll have nothing to hide. We have nothing to be ashamed of, no fear of being found out. What a liberating feeling! That doesn’t mean we’re perfect, just that we are committed to living openly and honestly before others. The Dutch priest Henri Nouwen said that we could be “wounded healers.” We may have struggled with certain things in the past, but now we are not looking back, we are looking toward the future. We need to be as vulnerable and open with others as possible as we do life together.
Is there an aspect of living vulnerably before others that is scary? Absolutely. But we are made for community. Sometimes it can be messy, but where would we be without the help of others speaking into our lives? Learn God’s way of “open heartedness.” Then walk in the truth.
Rebecca
