Much of this is exacerbated by the fact that we don't really know one another. It's funny. We're a Christian organization, so we should have more connection and love for one another than most places. On the other hand, we are a business, and so for some reason we have to work really hard to maintain that sense of unity, brotherly love, and Christian witness.
As we begin to push more for unity in our workplace through prayer, I began to worry about people being vulnerable with one another in the work environment. I think I was afraid on other people's behalf that they would get burned by what they share, or that in the end something might happen that would cause them to regret the things they shared in prayer.
In response, in here are a few reasons I am using to convince myself to encourage vulnerability in our in our morning prayer to spur on deeper trust, true unity, and the bond of love.
1. Vulnerability builds trust. We are our around our co-workers more than any other people during our week. We need to trust one another and that comes with exposing who we really are.
2. As members of the body of Christ, we are called to build one another up for the good works that God has prepared for us. We need to know each other and know one another's weaknesses in order to build each other up.
3. The up shot is the wonder of 1 Corinthians 13 and the power of love. The risk is getting burned. The up side outweighs the risk. C. S. Lewis said it much better, when he pointed out:
To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable.
4. If it is in fact our weaknesses that reveal the strength of God, and we desire to make God look good, then we will willing reveal our weaknesses to make God look great.
5. Conversely, in our strength and smugness we are very efficient atheists (this is a borrowed term, I can remember to whom it belongs). Therefore, to combat our lack of faith in God's power and strength, we must reveal our weaknesses to one another.
6. 2 Chronicles 30:12 has a neat story about how God granted the unity of the people of Judah to carry out the kings commands, according to God's will. In our work place we are carrying out the commands of our bosses which should be according to the will of God. So our exposure of our short comings should be an act of faith that God will use it to grant us unity in our mission together.
7. John 17:23 records Jesus saying that our unity is what will let the world know that we are Christians. In order to achieve unity, we must know one another.
8. In Ephesians 4:3 Paul admonishes us to make every effort to maintain unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Vulnerability helps us maintain unity. It is disarming and endearing.
9. We often have the wrong impressions. Proverbs 18:17 says that the first to present a case seems right until the neighbor comes to cross examine. The truth of the matter is that in our work places, we make our own first judgment about people based on an interaction, and never offer up a chance for cross examination to change our opinions. Vulnerability will help us think better of one another.
So, I am resolved to continue to encourage my co-workers to begin to trust one another, open up, and be vulnerable that we might show our love for one another.
Thanks for sharing this Lance. This is something I struggle with too, especially in the lives of students -- how much is an overshare vs. how much is the Lord directing me to be open with sharing? It is tricky. I will be praying the Lord's leading over vulnerability at the clinics!!
ReplyDeleteThere certainly is a time and place for these things. I feel like supposed "vulnerability" can also be a self-centered story session, instead of an other's focused vision. Nevertheless, I have always found it humanizing for those in authority over me (my parents, teachers, bosses, pastors) to share their struggles. The funny thing is, as they share their struggles my respect for them and willingness to follow grows. Crazy. Thanks for the prayers.
DeleteGood thoughts, my friend. I wonder if you could offer similar thoughts on a discipleship relationship.
ReplyDeleteFor example, I find myself in a pretty unique situation - people 5-10 years younger than me come to me with some big questions. A student at Rhodes - not in any of my classes, but a student nonetheless - is a Christ-follower and has asked me if he could join me on my bike rides. I said as long as he could keep up, he's more than welcome to join. Excitement in his eyes, he said "of course!"
So thus begins - hopefully - a rich relationship, one in which we can encourage one another in our collective work *and* ministry at Rhodes College.
I guess my question for you is this - what does vulnerability look like in discipleship, particularly discipleship in a professional, academic environment? Though this student is not my student, the young man in question is still a student, and I am still a professor. There is built within that relationship a power exchange, one that is neither inherently good or bad, but simply is...it's a power structure that *can* be used for great good.
As always, I value you your wisdom.
Jimmy, to offer some balance to the statement Matthew 7:6 talks about guarding what is precious and holy and not giving to those that don't understand. Interestingly, this advice is given in the same passage about removing the speck from your own eye. I may be pushing this too far, but it seems to me that it some ways, sharing about the speck in our own eye helps others see theirs and stop looking at yours. It's funny how what is so personal can be so universal. (I stole that from a preachers' website). And yet, there are people who will not receive it well, and offering it up should be done with caution.
DeleteI remember many times when David would share his thoughts, decision making, issues, by putting me in the same hypothetical situation. It was good for me, and hope it was a help for him. I wonder if that might be helpful as well in feeling out where the level of vulnerability is right.
Two last thoughts: 1. Everything will one day come to light regardless. We should probably start thinking about exposing some of it now. 2. As we mature, we often underestimate how distanced others feel from us in our authority, and therefore how insulated they feel from us at times. I don't think this warrants thoughtless sharing, but I think it should free us some to make attempts and opening our hearts and admitting to our weaknesses.