Joel Osteen Devotional August 20 2021 – Be Vulnerable

Philippians 3:13, TLB

No, dear brothers, I am still not all I should be…

Paul was one of the church’s greatest apostles. He wrote nearly half the books in the New Testament. He was a scholar, a theologian, and preacher. No one was more effective than Paul. But he had the humility to admit, “I don’t have it all together. I’ve done my best, but I’m not there yet.” He could have let pride hide his weaknesses. He could have masked his shortcomings, but he was vulnerable. He was real. That’s the kind of person God promotes. There’s power in vulnerability.

Too often we try to impress people by putting on masks and performing to make them think we’re this or that. If you have to hide your struggles, cover your weaknesses, and act one way to keep up your image but deep down you know it’s superficial, that will keep you from your potential. Take off the mask. Be real. God is not looking for the ideal you, the pretend you, or the future you. He’s looking for the real you, the vulnerable you.

Father, thank You that You are looking for the real me, for me to be honest about my struggles, my doubts, my weaknesses, and my fears. Thank You that You love me just as I am, and You want me to be vulnerable. I have nothing to hide. Make me, mold me, and change me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.