There are a few things as humans that we do not do very well, such as asking for help or exposing our weaknesses to others. It is easier for us to hide the deep part of our heart than admit when we are weak and frail. Weakness carries such a stigma, and we are often left feeling ashamed that we cannot handle problems on our own. This leads us to do more hiding and often to a deeper level of brokenness.
Originally, we were created for open, honest, intense relationships with others and with God. We were created to be perfect in a perfect world. After The Fall, the desires to relate with one another and rely on one another did not just disappear; they are still there inside of us, knocking around in our hearts. Too often, we keep them locked up because these desires lead us to scary, vulnerable places in our relationships.
In order to be in an open, honest relationship, you have to be vulnerable. This does not mean that you are wimpy or overly-emotional. It does mean, however, that you speak from your heart and that you expose parts of your heart to people with whom you want to have an open, honest relationship. When you expose a part of your heart to someone, they are able to see your weaknesses and the areas in which you are broken. This gives them the power to love you in a deep and meaningful way. However, it also gives them the power to abandon you and leave you feeling ashamed. It takes a risk. It takes courage.
The courage to be human is the courage to be imperfect and messy. It is courageous to open up to others, knowing that they will see the mess and brokenness inside of you. It is courageous to be messy and broken in a relationship and not end up ashamed or broken down. It is courageous to look at yourself in the mirror and decide that you are done hiding yourself, and that as a result, you are going to open yourself to others, even though what you have to offer others is human, messy, and imperfect.
The road to having courage is not easy and it goes against our desire to be seen as “ok”. There is no way that you can be “ok” and be human. We are not “ok”. We need other people. Our lives are a mess. Needing people and the willingness to live an imperfect life are the first two steps to having open, honest relationships and ultimately, having the courage to be human.