Vulnerability plus Trust in God equals Unstoppable

But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. Jeremiah 17:7-8 NIV

Vulnerability comes in all shapes and forms. The Thai guide meticulously tightened my harness, checked my safety hat, then attached my trolley to a cable that was suspended several hundred feet in the air across the jungle and pushed me off the platform. Questions of sanity quickly rose to my mind. I had wanted to experience the Flight of the Gibbon when working in Chiang Mai, Thailand, but now, suspended over the lush, emerald jungles, I will admit to a slight feeling of vulnerability. I am not sure why I should have been concerned, since I had been through their safety briefing and instructed on how to brake before I crashed into the other pole going 40-50 mph. The vulnerability quickly gave way to excitement, and I lived to tell the story and get my t-shirt.

Vulnerability and suspicion seem to be natural companions. People feel vulnerable when getting up in front of an audience to speak. Will they like me? Do I have anything worth sharing? People feel vulnerable when trying something new. What if I do it wrong? Can I really do it? Do I know how to do it? People feel vulnerable when they find themselves out of control. What am I going to do? How do I get control?

Marian Anderson understood vulnerability. She chose to face her vulnerability by using her God-given talents to change the cultural norms of her day. Anderson was born in 1897 in Philadelphia to hardworking, committed Christian parents. It did not take long for her amazing singing voice to be recognized; she joined the junior choir at age six. She was affectionately nicknamed “The Baby Contralto.” She would have quickly become a household name, except that she was the wrong color, according to certain segments of society.

Anderson found new pathways when society blocked her because of her race. Having been turned away from a music school in Philadelphia, she was encouraged to go to Europe for training, where she could become a success. When she was denied the opportunity to sing at Washington, D.C.’s Constitutional Hall, the public was outraged. Famous musicians protested, and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt worked to arrange a free open-air concert on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. She sang “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee” before 75,000 people and millions of radio listeners on Easter Sunday, 1939. Her incredible voice was heard by millions instead of a few hundred in the concert hall.

Over the next decades, she received invitations to perform at the White House; before Presidents and European royalty; at Presidents Eisenhower’s and Kennedy’s inaugurations; and to be honored with awards by Presidents Johnson and Reagan; and was adored for her character and courage. When reflecting on the racism she endured despite her enormous popularity, she simply said, “If I were inclined to be combative, I suppose I might insist on making an issue of these things. But that is not my nature, and I always bear in mind that my mission is to leave behind me the kind of impression that will make it easier for those who follow.” (National Marian Anderson Museum)

Vulnerability and suspicion may be natural dance partners, but vulnerability and trust in God form a far more powerful partnership. If suspicion breeds fear and doubt, trust in God fosters empowerment and purpose. Just ask Jonathan, King Saul’s son and David’s best friend.

Saul’s new kingship was not off to a roaring start. The army was now stuck, waiting for the other side to act. Then Jonathan had a great idea: climb a mountain and take on the enemy. Jonathan told his young assistant, “Let’s go over… Perhaps the LORD will act on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.” (1 Samuel 14:6). Jonathan discovered a powerful principle: two plus God equals overwhelming results!

What a powerful picture of total vulnerability. “Jonathan climbed up, using his hands and feet, with his armor-bearer right behind him.” (I Sam 14:13). I have never served in the military, but I have climbed a few mountains in my life. When you climb using your hands and feet, you are very exposed. This is not the best fighting position. Jonathan put his vulnerability into the capable hands of God. He did not know the possible outcome, but that was not important. He had put his trust in God. The outcome was a total victory on top of the mountain, and “Then panic struck the whole army—those in the camp and field, and those in the outposts and raiding parties—and the ground shook. It was a panic sent by God…So on that day the LORD saved Israel, and the battle moved on beyond Beth Aven.” (I Sam 14:15,21)

You can only imagine the vulnerability David must have felt when he went to fight Goliath with only his sling and the five stones he had picked up. You can only imagine the vulnerability Andrew must have felt when he brought a little boy with a few little fishes and some bread to feed a few thousand. You can only imagine the vulnerability Mary must have felt as she walked in front of a bunch of men and then knelt to pour expensive perfume onto Jesus’ feet. You can only imagine the vulnerability a little nine-year-old boy must have felt as he walked down a church aisle to give his life to Jesus.

We all have our stories of vulnerability. Those stories become life-changing and life-giving when they are told because we lived out our vulnerability by putting our trust in God. “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you…In God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” (Psalm 56:3-4)

God is great!