Trusting the Process:Vulnerability

Great reaction to Kerri’s first blog last week – read on for the next installment:

Trusting the Process: Vulnerability

Sometimes it is easier to open our hearts to the vulnerability of others, to walk with them through their moments of doubt and unbelief, it can seem like it is less effort to minister love to another rather than allowing our own hearts to be ministered to.

It is like we look any which way we can before we are willing to look at ourselves because that sting is too real, because that wound is too ugly, because our vulnerability takes our breath away and we simply do not want to acknowledge our weakness. But how can we minister to others in love without first being ministered to by God. It is only through God that we can realise and receive real love.

Pain is not a product of the Lord, it is a product of the world, of what we pick up along the way – through relationships, friendships, triumphs, and disappointments. It comes from fleshly expectations based on where we come from, how we were raised and the people that raised us.

Brokenness is not unique to you and me! It is a condition of the world, a bondage that we instinctively walk in, we come to a place of accepting something that was never ever in God’s plan for us.

Scripture teaches us what God’s plans have for us,

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Isaiah 58:11 And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.

Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

Psalm 32:8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.

Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

1 Corinthians 2:9 But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”

Stepping into our vulnerability allows us to unlearn the old, unravel the lies the enemy has strategically woven into our lives, the enemy has worked on you and me from the day we were born, his sole purpose is to separate us from God.

The enemy will use whatever he can, any insecurity, any word of condemnation you speak over yourself, any doubt, any fear, and he will exaggerate it until you begin to question who you are, your identity and your inheritance.

Protect your inheritance and step into your vulnerabilities! Protect the inheritance of your children, and your grandchildren and step into your vulnerabilities. Someone once described God to me as a gentleman and it is true, God is gentle and he is kind, he already knows what you are struggling with, and he is cheering you on! He has you, he wants you to live in the fullness he planned for you. It is not too good to be true! You do deserve it, you do not need to earn it, you cannot lose it.

But you can avoid it!

By avoiding what is going on in your own heart, that hurt you have been hating, hiding, and holding on to. The anger that you can feel aggravating your very bones like an itch you cannot scratch. The Shame that you cannot shake off. Whatever it is, look at it! Expose yourself to it! If it hurts, it will heal.

You were not meant to feel this way, you were not supposed to carry this burden you are supposed to live in freedom. How many times do we need to look at the cross, how many times do we need to see his position on the cross and miss what he has done! The cross is as real now, as it was then.

Take the hurt and the vulnerability and lay it at the foot of the cross, lift it up to God, into his hands – give it to him and let him open every fruit that is rotten within you, that is not of his spirit, and allow him time to turn it over and break it down.

God brought to my mind just now The Composting Process, this is random to me because I have no idea about gardening, and so had to use google to learn the process and found this quote.

“Compost is decomposed organic material. It is made with materials such as leaves, shredded twigs, and kitchen scraps from plants.

To gardeners, compost is considered “black gold” because of its many benefits in the garden. Compost is a great material for garden soil. Adding compost to clay soils makes them easier to work and plant. In sandy soils, the addition of compost improves the water holding capacity of the soil. By adding organic matter to the soil, compost can help improve plant growth and health.

The amount of time needed to produce compost depends on several factors, including the size of the compost pile, the types of materials, the surface area of the materials, and the number of times the pile is turned.

By supplying organic materials, water, and oxygen, the already present bacteria will break down the plant material into useful compost for the garden.”

I believe God is saying that what you see as useless and unnecessary, he sees gold. Nothing you have gone through or carried cannot be used in his kingdom for his glory! The seeds he will plant in place of what he has refined will refresh and restore your soul and will produce fruit that can be shared everywhere.

Psalms 23:1-6 says,

The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.