Strength in Vulnerability
“During the twentieth year of Artaxerxes' reign, I was serving the king his wine. I had never before appeared sad in his presence. So the king asked me, “why are you looking so sad? You don’t look sick to me, you must be deeply troubled.†Then I was terrified. - Nehemiah 2:1-2
Nehemiah was afraid to appear sad in the presence of the king because cup-bearers were supposed to hide their emotions for the king's sake. To violate this was punishable by death.
I have worn my heart on my sleeve all my life. I also learned very quickly that my openness and vulnerability made a lot of people uncomfortable; therefore, I decided at a young age that I would stay quiet and avoid conversations, especially if I thought crying was a possibility.
Then I stumbled onto this scripture while reading Nehemiah, and the Lord showed me how much strength it took for Nehemiah to appear vulnerable in front of the king when his life could have been on the line. But the king’s response was so beautiful; he only responded with, “Well, how can I help you?â€
Nehemiah was met with so much grace in his vulnerability; the king let him go and do what he needed to do in his homeland while fully equipping all of his needs. What if we approached Jesus the way Nehemiah approached the king, with every raw emotion, no holding back? I bet His response would be the same: “Well, how can I help you?â€
REFLECT: Read Nehemiah chapter 2 with new eyes and see all the little things Nehemiah was blessed with in his vulnerability.
PRAY: Be honest with how you are feeling right now and don't hold back. He isn't scared of your emotions. Tell Him how you feel.
Nehemiah was afraid to appear sad in the presence of the king because cup-bearers were supposed to hide their emotions for the king's sake. To violate this was punishable by death.
I have worn my heart on my sleeve all my life. I also learned very quickly that my openness and vulnerability made a lot of people uncomfortable; therefore, I decided at a young age that I would stay quiet and avoid conversations, especially if I thought crying was a possibility.
Then I stumbled onto this scripture while reading Nehemiah, and the Lord showed me how much strength it took for Nehemiah to appear vulnerable in front of the king when his life could have been on the line. But the king’s response was so beautiful; he only responded with, “Well, how can I help you?â€
Nehemiah was met with so much grace in his vulnerability; the king let him go and do what he needed to do in his homeland while fully equipping all of his needs. What if we approached Jesus the way Nehemiah approached the king, with every raw emotion, no holding back? I bet His response would be the same: “Well, how can I help you?â€
REFLECT: Read Nehemiah chapter 2 with new eyes and see all the little things Nehemiah was blessed with in his vulnerability.
PRAY: Be honest with how you are feeling right now and don't hold back. He isn't scared of your emotions. Tell Him how you feel.
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