Bible Society of South Africa
Hennie Symington

A journey of the soul – Day 12

God’s vulnerability empowers us

Itekisi yeBhayibhile

2 KWABASEKORINTE 12

8Ndayithandaza kathathu iNkosi, ndiyicela ukuba isisuse kum. 9Kodwa yandiphendula yathi: “Ubabalo lwam lukwanele, kuba amandla am acaca xa ubuthathaka.” Ngoko ke ndikhetha ukuqhayisa ngezinto ezibonakalisa ubuthathaka bam, ukuze ndikuve ukongama kwamandla kaKrestu phezu kwam. 10Ndanelisekile ke ngoko nokuba ndibuthathaka, nokuba ndiyagxekwa, nokuba nditsala nzima, nditshutshiswa, ndithwala iimbandezelo ngenxa kaKrestu. Kuba xa ndibuthathaka, kuxa kanye ndinamandla.

2 KWABASEKORINTE 12:8-10XHO96Vula kumfundi weBhayibhile

God’s vulnerability resides in the power of his love. Jesus’ life on earth demonstrates God’s very nature. Through God’s revealed love, we get to know a God who is ready to sacrifice himself and suffer for us. Through Christ’s crucifixion, he experiences the ultimate vulnerability.

How does this influence the way we share ourselves with others, our neighbours, strangers, the needy and with God himself? Be warned! Self-protection is not Jesus’ way of leading. He said, “The first shall be last and the last, first.”

We are called, therefore, to allow ourselves to be vulnerable in the world. Being human, we are not comfortable with being vulnerable. It exposes us to humiliation, hurt and even rejection while we are conditioned to do everything in our power to avoid getting hurt. We guard ourselves in our private and public lives, and do not like to expose ourselves. We fear rejection and being judged. Yet, vulnerability brings us closer to our fellowman. It is when we are at our most vulnerable, that we are most like Jesus. When we are at our weakest, we are at our strongest. In essence, it means by showing weakness, you allow God to take care of protecting you.

Bible Society of South Africav.4.26.9
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