Last night I listened to several podcasts on my iPod while working. After listening to Arainna Huffington extol the virtues of sleep, I listened to Brene Brown describe the power of vulnerability. She set me to thinking about life, faith and modern discussions of authenticity. It seems that in the vocabulary of the church we may have missed the root of courage. Brown gave a brief etymology of courage and pointed to the power represented was in the heart. She pressed the notion that real courage is expressed in vulnerability that makes connection possible.

Some of you may quickly see how I connected the very image of a vulnerable Jesus, naked and on a cross, making connection by taking the very sense of blame we have for the shame we feel that results from our mongering for power over others and ourselves. Visually, I recalled this photograph taken while visiting a good friend last summer whose own story illustrates the healing and power that comes with finally being vulnerable to one’s own humanity in the face of Jesus.

Enjoy.

"Open and Vulnerable" - Copyright 2012 Todd Littleton