“…our heart is wide open to you—open wide your hearts also.”
2 Corinthians 6:11-13 (paraphrased)

Here’s a short quiz to help you figure out just how vulnerable you are (and how vulnerable you should be.)

Choose the answer that sounds most like you. Then add up your points: A = 1, B = 2, C = 3, D = 4.

1. Everybody has a personal bubble. What would you name yours?
   A. The Fortress of Jello
   B. The Velvet Rope
   C. The Moat
   D. The Iron Dome
   
   
2. When someone hugs you, does it feel:
   A. Like a spiritual bubble bath.
   B. Like your coach just high-fived you.
   C. Like your parents made you kiss your great-aunt, Gladys.
   D. Like a tooth extraction.
   
   
3. When you’re hurting, who are you likely to tell?
   A. “Nice to meet you! Do you have a minute?”
   B. My crew of buddies or workmates.
   C. Maybe my partner, or a therapist. Maybe.
   D. Tell? I don’t even tell myself.
   
   
4. When someone offers unwelcome criticism, you respond by:
   A. Missing the next month of work as you recover.
   B. Smiling and nodding, but you’re gonna cry later.
   C. Taking it with a grain of salt. And maybe being salty about it.
   D. Adding them to your hit list.
   
   
5. What does it take for you to trust someone?
   A. They seem nice. I’m in.
   B. When I fell, they caught me.
   C. Two years. Minimum.
   D. If trust is a two-way street, I’m taking the subway.
   

Your score:
5-9 Consider getting your social security # tattooed on your forehead.
10-14 You offer guided tours of your soul, but by invitation only.
15-19 Your skin is thick enough that people call you “The Rhino”.
20-25 Fort Knox, baby.

So, how vulnerable are you?

I’m not sure there’s a correct answer. In fact, the whole quiz may be kind of invalid. Just like every BuzzFeed quiz you’ve ever taken. The truth is, being vulnerable isn’t about always being open—it’s about knowing when to open and with whom.

After all, sometimes you need to protect yourself, so you close up shop. Other times you need to fling the doors of your heart wide open and let people in.

There’s an art to being vulnerable. I’m not sure that one style fits all situations. I think Paul would agree.

When Paul was writing to Corinth, he was desperately trying to encourage people to be vulnerable. After all, it’s hard to do the work of the Body of Christ if it isn’t beating with one heart.

But Paul knew the value of a secure perimeter too. In Romans 16, he says, “I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way… Keep away from them.” —Translation: Some people are walking red flags, so be careful.

On the whole, I would say Paul was mostly the type to lay it all out there, come what may. Maybe category “B”? He ran the risk of getting hurt, but it was a calculated risk worth taking, time and again,

Wherever you fall in the range from bubble wrap to brick wall, remember that the Holy Spirit works both ways, too: protecting you from danger, but ushering you out for the adventure of your life.

There’s a lot at stake as you manage your vulnerability. Your personal bubble makes all the difference in your faith journey…

so don’t blow it.

Have a great week,

Mitch