Let’s be real: vulnerability feels like walking into a room naked. We hate it. We armor up with “I’m fine!” or deflect with memes about “adulting.” But Jesus? He starts Lent by leaning into vulnerability—hungry, tired, and tempted in the desert. No power moves. No flexing. Just raw humanity.
This week’s story (Luke 4:1-13) isn’t about Jesus flexing divine muscle. It’s about him refusing to pretend he doesn’t need help. When the devil whispers, “Turn stones to bread!”—a totally reasonable ask for a starving person—Jesus doesn’t bite. Not because he’s too holy for snacks, but because he’d rather trust God’s timing than his own shortcuts.
Sound familiar?
We live in a world that glorifies hustle, hashtags like #NoDaysOff, and shames anyone who admits they’re struggling. But here’s the kicker: Jesus’ greatest strength wasn’t his miracles. It was his willingness to say, “I can’t do this alone.”
Reflection for the Week:
- When’s the last time you admitted you needed help—really admitted it?
- Where does your church hide behind “fine” instead of saying, “We’re not okay”?
Try This:
Grab a stuffed animal (yes, seriously—a Squishmallow, a teddy bear, whatever). Hold it like you’re comforting a friend. Now ask: What would it feel like to let someone hold you that way? Vulnerability isn’t weakness—it’s trusting God (and others) to catch you when you stop pretending.
A Prayer to Carry You:
“Tender God, you emptied yourself of power to walk beside us. Help us drop the act. Give us courage to need you—and each other—out loud. Amen.”
Hymn Highlight:
Cue up “O God, Our Help in Ages Past.” The line “Our shelter from the stormy blast” hits different when you’re tired of being the storm.
Bottom Line:
Lent isn’t a spiritual Tough Mudder. It’s a season to stop hustling for worthiness and let God love you—not the version of you that’s got it all together, but the one who’s frayed, doubtful, and desperately in need of grace.
So here’s your challenge: This week, tell one person the truth. Not the Instagram caption version. The messy, unedited, “I’m scared/I’m tired/I don’t know” version.
Turns out, the wilderness isn’t so lonely when we stop pretending we’re invincible.
Copyright notice: Adapted from “All We Need: The Basics” © 2024 Barn Geese Worship. Used by permission.