Be vulnerable

Before Adam and Eve messed up, we're told that 'they were both naked... and... not ashamed' (Genesis 2:25 NKJV). Why, of all the details we could be told about Adam and Eve, is that mentioned? Well, when Adam and Eve messed up, they separated themselves from God and felt ashamed about their nakedness. And since then, so have the rest of us: nakedness is a big deal. It means we're vulnerable, exposed to ridicule, shame or unwanted attention.

Perhaps the reason we're told about Adam and Eve's lack of clothing is to show us how moving away from God's care and guidance leaves us vulnerable. Adam and Eve felt ashamed and that they had something to (literally) hide. They felt weak and helpless. Which we would too, in the middle of a huge garden with no clothes on, having been lured into disobeying God's only condition.

But... God saw Adam and Eve, and sees us, for all that we are, regardless of how we try to hide. No matter how much we dread being seen as weak and vulnerable, stripped down to the real us, he sees every lumpy, blemished, undesirable bit of us and loves us anyway. When we're vulnerable, let's not move away from God, but towards his love and protection.



So what now? With God, being vulnerable helps you get stronger. Your vulnerabilities allow you to get closer to him. He says: 'My kindness is all you need. My power is strongest when you are weak (2 Corinthians 12:9 GWT).





— SCRIPTURE —

'My strength is made perfect in weakness.' 2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV
— SOULFOOD —

Num 14-15, Luke 7:11-23, Ps 107:23-32, Pro 3:25-26