Vulnerability Part 1

 

Author Maggie Smith writes about our vulnerability as humans.  This is not something we easily admit or accept.  Most of us spend our whole lives trying to defend, deflect, deny, and distance ourselves from the truth that we are fragile, finite beings.  Smith writes, “Whether or not we talk about it, we’re aware of our own limitations.”

 

Pause with me, what limitations have you been confronted or confounded by this month or this year?  Maybe a physical limitation that with every birthday candle on our cake, the mileage on our bodies shows.  Maybe emotional limitations trying to deal with the exhaustion hangover from the storms of the summer and the election and now on the cusp of the holidays with family.  Maybe it is relational limitations of trying to deal with other featherless bipeds.  Maybe it is a spiritual ceiling or wall of frustration with God. 

 

Where are you bumping up against the boundaries of life in ways that might evoke fear or frustration or freezing or flocking to others for reassurance?

 

Smith continues, “We are reminded every day how we’re not witty or educated or talented enough.  And when we get that sinking feeling of knowing our own limitations, when we are dragged down by the weight of our own emptiness, we want to do whatever we can to fix it.”

 

How are you trying to fix/solve the limitations of life?  I know my tool of choice is to work harder, do more, activity my “super” power of trying to be all things to all people.  Or maybe you numb the pain of not measuring up with alcohol, social media, sugar/food, or cynicism and criticism pointing out others flaws to make you feel better about your own.  Or maybe it is the culture that says buy this phone and take this amazing trip to solve your problems.  Or maybe it is the church that gives you a set of beliefs to soothe the struggle within your soul. 

 

Owning our own vulnerability is not popular or preached in our world today.  Yet, as we prepare for the mystery and marvel of Christmas, we know that God’s appearance came not in a splashy or spectacular way, but in a tiny vulnerable infant.  Maybe you want to get out your nativity set, hold the fragile ceramic baby Jesus and sing that unanswerable holy question, “What child is this?”  Which is to say, what kind of God is this who comes not with military might or preaching that God will save and fix everything, but comes to us a dependent infant?  If this is God we offer our prayer and praise to, what might that say to us who are created beautifully in God’s image?  May these questions stir and swirl within you this day.  Amen.