Donald Miller begins his blog today by saying, “So, according to researchers, if you want to be healthy you have to be in an environment where you are accepted and are free to have flaws.” This isn’t news to me. I’ve thrown my life into this belief. We need authentic connections to be wholehearted people. So why do so many people–people in church ministry, small group leaders, and lots of others, live life outside this kind of environment? I believe there is a one-word answer: control.
We each have a choice: to be in control of our lives (and, so it follows, the lives of everyone else as well) or to be trusting and vulnerable. The most dynamic relationships, groups, churches, and other organizations are built on those two virtues.
In the clip below, researher-storyteller Brene Brown gave a very compelling TED talk about this topic, telling her own story of personal transformation in this area. If you lead a small group or are involved in ministry, invest about 20 minutes to watch this video. I’d love to hear your comments and thoughts!
Thanks for posting this. I have a love/hate relationship with vulnerability. I hate losing control and yet, when I let go and take a risk and offer my true self, that's when I've had the richest, most life changing experiences.
It remind me of James 5:16…confessing our sins to another is closely tied to healing. It's when I've disclosed my true self before another that true spiritual growth has taken place.