01 Mar Victory in Vulnerability
Might makes right.
Kill or be killed.
Only the strong survive.
It seems there are dozens of platitudes that view strength as, well, a strength. Why?
Because weakness is vulnerability, the opposite of strength.
But let’s be clear: we all have vulnerabilities. So why do we go to such great lengths to pretend or downplay that we don’t?
Because we fear our vulnerability will defeat us. It’s actually just the opposite: there is victory in vulnerability as these fascinating stories demonstrate.
Spruce Lake Men’s Retreat 2020
Earlier this year, A Faithful Dad was invited to speak at a large men’s retreat at Spruce Lake Retreat in the Poconos. The format for this two-day event for hundreds of men features a professional sports star who speaks once Thursday night, and a Bible teacher who speaks twice on Friday.
Guess which one I was?
In previous years, the sports stars, who draw mass audiences, included a famous Major League Baseball (MLB) first-round draft pick player who won multiple World Series trophies and a respected National Football League (NFL) pro-bowl player. This year’s speaker was NASCAR racer Michael McDowell.
Surrounded by NASCAR and stock car “props”, Michael delivered a powerful testimony, more powerful than the cars that flanked him, of how he went from initially living out life “his” way to eventually turning to Christ to save him. Michael taught us that racing always requires you to be “pitching” or selling your brand to get sponsorships. In the racing business, you rise and fall on your sponsorships (read “money”).
Soon after Michael and his bride came to Christ, Michael’s racing manager announced a big-time sponsor had agreed to underwrite their entire season: Playboy. Michael spoke vulnerably about how he and his wife prayed to God and sought His will on which way to turn, and the hard decisions they had to make.
Sound familiar?
After Michael’s message, several men told me how they related to Michael’s story. In contrast, and without being prompted, they also revealed that the MLB and NFL players didn’t want to go into details of their past mistakes, only wanting to talk about their worldly victories. It left many men unable to relate. But it was this humble NASCAR racer whom we could relate to: we saw God working perfectly through an imperfect man just like us.
There is victory in vulnerability.
Legacy carried on in my life’s most vulnerable moment
As I took the stage Friday morning, I was again amazed at the privilege of being able to publicly speak God’s Word: His joy filled my heart! To think God has called me to speak His Word still overwhelms me: why me, Lord?
The message I shared was based on the climax of our 2016 book, A Faithful Dad’s Guide to Legacy, Chapter 12: Legacy carried on in my life’s most vulnerable moment. In it, I described how God led me to care for my dying, dementia-stricken dad who was temporarily constrained in a psych ward due to his violent behavior. This tender story is filled with embarrassing incidents (mostly about me) amidst the abject grief I experienced in coming to terms with dad’s death soon after. Not only was I crying on stage for all to see (vulnerable!), but scores of men were sobbing along with me. The lesson was clear though: God worked so gently, so mightily to establish a legacy carried on in my life’s most vulnerable moment.
After the message, dozens of men of all ages approached me:
Lastly, a trio of teen boys (all cousins), who had been patiently shooting baskets for close to an hour before they could get their turn to talk, revealed the personal vulnerabilities they were facing:
Sound familiar?
In each case, I could relate with these men, because God has allowed me to experience each of these vulnerable issues either in my own life or through someone close to me. It’s the same power of God that the Apostle Paul speaks about in 2 Corinthians 4:7 (NIV), “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” We are weak (clay jars), but God works through our weakness.
There is victory in vulnerability!
The ultimate victory in vulnerability
In this Lenten season as we prepare our hearts and minds for Easter, Celebration Sunday next month, there is no greater victory in vulnerability than our Savior Jesus’ death on the cross. It’s the story that never grows old!
But why did Jesus have to die so vulnerably?
Because we could have never paid for our sins: ever! Only Jesus – fully God and fully man – could do that for us. He is fully man to take on our sins, standing in as our substitute or proxy, and fully God to forgive us from our sins. Jesus’ death on the cross stood for physical and spiritual punishment that lead to the ultimate selfless sacrifice for us!
Indeed, Jesus’ vulnerability – an innocent man condemned to die – led to victory over death!
Through Jesus alone, there is victory in vulnerability!
So, forget your human strength and rely on Jesus’ strength through vulnerabilities.
Challenge: Instead of playing to your strengths, how can you show vulnerability to those you love?
Victorious in Christ,
Travis L. Zimmerman
Pastor, Co-Founder
