When I read through the New Testament I always gain a new appreciation for the apostle Paul. He’s one of my favorite men in the Bible to study. While I’m fascinated with Paul for several reasons, I’m most encouraged by his transparency, honesty, and openness. He is the complete package of humility and vulnerability.
He proves this in Romans 7:21-25 where he writes,
“So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.”
Paul is sharing the struggles in his life with sin. Put yourself in the shoes of the original people reading this letter. Paul is the man these people are looking up to as their spiritual leader, and yet he is opening himself up to these people by saying, “Listen, I’m human. I’ve got struggles. I admit to you that I am a sinful man.” Paul even admits his sin is overwhelming to him. Talk about GUTS! I love this about Paul!
As men, we must be willing to have courage like Paul.
A few years ago, a Strong27™ protege experienced success because of his willingness to mimic Paul’s humility and vulnerability.
“I hold nothing back from my mentor. I’m open, honest, and transparent about everything in my life—my struggles, my concerns, my worries, my goals, my dreams…everything.”
Humility and vulnerability are more than talking about “stuff.” They are more than admitting “stuff.” True humility and vulnerability shine through in a man’s life when he is both willing to accept things that are hard to accept and willing to DEAL with these things. Humility and vulnerability lead to taking off the mask to reveal who you really are. It’s about getting to the core of your heart and moving past the surface.
If we are men trying to grow toward a Godly standard of leadership and strength, then we must be willing to take off our masks. Living out humility and vulnerability allows God to break down the walls in front of us. Our mentors cannot be effective in speaking into our lives without it. They can’t encourage, support, or challenge us until we are willing invite them into our messiness.
Take off your mask, men. The apostle Paul did. Will you?
Garret Barbush, Executive Director
Follow @garretbarbush