The Courage to be Vulnerable

One of our core values here at Tempo is Courage, not just the idea of it, but the discipline of living it out. In adulthood, courage rarely appears by accident. You have to place yourself in moments that require it. Yet most of us dodge those moments, sometimes consciously, other times without even realizing it.

But courage doesn’t grow in safety. It grows in the unknown.

For as long as I can remember, courage has been a necessity; not a choice. Every chapter of my life has demanded it. Moving forward blindly, with no guarantee of success, no control over the outcome, and only one tool in hand: Internal Confidence.

That’s what true courage looks like.

And today, I was reminded of that truth again, that courage is moving forward progressively without the knowledge of outcomes. Isn’t that what faith in God really is? Isn’t that the first step in believing the story of Yeshua? Isn’t that the essence of understanding that the Holy Spirit is with us?

Courage is trusting, even when you can’t see, hear, or feel.

What I Learned on November 4th at 1:42 pm

Through a simple experience today, I was reminded that many of us both as individuals and as a collective struggle with Vulnerability.

Vulnerability is the quiet courage to step outside of yourself. It’s listening when it’s inconvenient, noticing when others overlook, protecting when it’s uncomfortable, teaching when no one thanks you, and serving when there’s no applause. It’s doing your reasonable service not for recognition, but because it’s right.

Here’s what I’ve come to understand:

Vulnerability unlocks courage.

It takes vulnerability to speak when you’re afraid.

To stand when no one stands with you.

To move forward when you’ve been wronged; or when you’ve wronged someone else.

It takes vulnerability to decide to have courage, to go forward blindly, wholeheartedly, despite the cost, the time, or the criticism. Because the entire purpose of courage is to go forward without knowing the outcome.

Here’s what I desire to leave you today. We cannot experience love in its highest form without vulnerability. And to be vulnerable takes Courage. Let this truth anchor you this week. Practice vulnerability. Walk in courage. And trust that even when you don’t see the end of the road God is still guiding your steps.

Stay grounded. Stay growing. Stay courageous.

ChrisAndre