Lightwave ADVENTure 22
24 Reflections on Mission with the Lightwave Community
“Fear not little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the Kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven which will never fail… For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Luke 12.32-34
Vulnerability is an important spiritual practice for missional small groups, like those of Lightwave. When we allow ourselves to be vulnerable, we let go of power and remain in a position where others can hurt us – so it is also a very clanging practice, in which we are taking baby steps. We are seeking to imitate the vulnerability of Christ , “who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness and being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross” (Philippians 2.5-8
So what practices in a missional small group cultivate vulnerability?
- We intentionally create safe spaces to share and listen for our worries, doubts and failures – and to bring these into God’s presence through prayer. Leaders try to show the way by modelling openness, sharing their own struggles and spiritual journeys.
- We love each other, serving each other sacrificially.
- We confess our sins and celebrate God’s forgiveness, his grace which is sufficient for all.
- We listen to God’s call together and take risks which make us more dependent on God alone – remembering that Jesus sent out the 12 apostles without a walking stick, bag, food, money or even a change of clothes. (Luke 9)
The practice of vulnerability bears fruit in that it gives courage for risk-taking and increases dependence on God where our dependence belongs. Many people whose lives have been turned round, who have found friends and stability and work and confidence … have achieved this because they made themselves vulnerable in sharing their difficulties and others made themselves vulnerable in helping. The Lightwave hub at the Place by the Water (pictured) would not exist as a missional place of retreat today, if it were not for the courage of its leaders to live with financial vulnerability.
Lord Jesus, Give us courage to follow your way of vulnerability, wholly dependent on God’s care.
Find out more about Place by the Water at https://lightwave.community/hubs/the-place-by-the-water