"What is REAL?" asked the Rabbit one day..."Does it happen all at once or bit by bit?" [...] "It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't often happen to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand." -The Velveteen Rabbit
I am learning about vulnerability. In the past I associated vulnerability with weakness, but lately I have been called to be genuinely vulnerable. My lack of vulnerability has resulted in a lack of compassion and sensitivity in some situations. My drive for justice has sometimes blinded me to being more sensitive of others in a given situation. It is easier to be honest and call things as they are, but it is not always the best. To be real means to be vulnerable.
By being more in touch with what I really feel and what I fear I hope to become more gentle and compassionate with others. In the past I have had to fend for myself, but with God, I am surrounded by people who love me despite my sharp edges and shabbiness.
Jonah 3:10 (NIV) 10 When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened.
After all the people had done against God and as set as He was to destroy them, He didn’t. This is just one example of God’s character. God shows me this kind of compassion and makes Himself vulnerable to me hurting Him. His love for me is greater.
I am faced with a decision each day to either run from God or let him use me. I am faced with a decision to recognize who the real enemy is or to turn on others in hopes of protecting myself. If I give way to fear and not allow God deeper into my heart, I leave myself open for the enemy. I leave myself open to bitterness.
Jonah 4:10-11 (NIV) 10 But the LORD said, "You have been concerned about this vine, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. 11 But Nineveh has more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and many cattle as well. Should I not be concerned about that great city?"
Jonah became bitter and lost sight of other people. He wanted God’s wrath on them and did not understand His compassion. I too can let my personal sense of justice blind me. To protect myself I can get angry just like Jonah did but it does not change who God is. God’s love remains the same. I can concern myself with things, people and fears or I can remember that God is so much bigger. He concerns himself with me and all those around me. I can let go and let God. Not everyone will understand my actions and some will think I am ugly, because lets face it, the process can be an ugly one. But the only one I need to be real for is God.
2 Chronicles 15:2b (NIV) The LORD is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you.
2Chron16:9a (NIV) 9 For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.