Vulnerability is a Virtue

My sole purpose in life is to give glory where it's due,
and I owe it all to You.
So God, are you glorified
Through the choices I've made in life?
Or is my pride unconsciously trying to hide
the only thing about me worth celebrating;
Your presence.

So let's focus on the miracle that is Christ
And write pretty poems about the struggles and triumphs in His life
And let's worry about whether or not they even rhyme
Because that's a really good way to distract our minds and waste time
Instead of letting Him have His way in our lives.
Don't get me wrong- Christ's life was a miracle
His mere birth was a physical manifestation of the divine
And it unfolded into the most profound love story of all time that is now mine
But while painting this picture, we've dipped our brushes in the wine
Trying to make the ugly parts taste sweet
And while we're at it we might as well make sure we feel comfortable.
Now that's deceit.

Just make sure, when we're talking about our problems, we're discrete
Because we wouldn't want anyone to know that we're affected by the enemy.
Just give a simple "Hey, pray for me"
Because sharing our struggles and weaknesses would be way too mainstream.
But I know for a fact that God has a plan for me,
And I'm pretty sure it has nothing to do with complacency, solitude, or secrecy.

By not sharing your testimony, you rob God of an opportunity.

Instead we'd prefer to hold up the stories wrapped up in ribbon and bows
And hope that nobody notices the brokenness we work so hard not to show
As if other people aren't familiar with pain and mistakes,
Like having a past or regrets is something they don't know.
I'd be a liar if I said I never tell lies
Most of which being, "I'm fine."
And I guarantee the enemy will use that against me.

So here's what I've learned;
Vulnerability is a virtue and perfection is my enemy.
I will never be good enough,
And I will never be too honest with myself, or You
Because I like to lie, it helps me hide
But I like to tell the truth
And that in itself is proof that I have the Holy Spirit living inside.

So let's be honest.
I struggle. I have addictions.
Sometimes I'm lazy and sometimes I ignore the conviction.
At times I just want to be alone and at other times I can't stand the thought.
I think less of myself instead of thinking about myself less,
And I try my best but so often I regress back to old habits.
And being willing to admit where I fall short is about as vulnerable as it gets.

Paul said God's power is made perfect in weakness
So "therefore I will boast all the more gladly",
About the strength that is my Savior
And of the miracles He's worked, not in spite,
But in the midst of my humanity.