Are You a Shark or a Harbor?
2025-09-08 10:29:34
Boy Oh Boy! Buckled In?
Let's begin.
What's something that you find hard to do? Mine is vulnerability. It feels like bleeding before someone, waiting to see if they are a shark or a harbor.
Fortunately for you, that's what today's post is about.
I have this habit of stumbling into the most fascinating conversations in Ubers. On this particular day, during a 25–30 minute ride, the driver and I got chatting about God, religion, and why so many Christians wrestle with living a double life.
The irony? At that very moment, I was the Christian we were describing, though I'd never admit it out loud. Remember, I don't like being vulnerable.
He began sharing his story of how he met God and the journey that led him there. Here's where it gets real: so many of us have carried so much pain, so much hurt, that we leave no room for God in our lives. He becomes an afterthought, a "by the way."
I'm not pointing fingers, I've been there. His story began the same way.
Meet Jack
Let's call my Uber driver Jack. Now, Jack starts telling me about his childhood. Heavy backstory stuff. Little boy carrying the world on his shoulders, sacrificing for younger siblings, grown-up responsibilities stealing his toys and bedtime stories.
As he's telling me this, I can hear the weight in his voice. This wasn't just a story he was sharing, these were scars he carried.
I'm listening. But here's the thing: I'm sitting there, deeply moved by his pain, yet also wondering, Jack, where does God fit into all this hurt? I hate to admit it, but I was also watching the GPS countdown… five minutes to my destination and I genuinely needed to know how this story finds its way to Jesus.
Where's God in this mess, Jack?
But then...
Then the Friend Shows Up
"I had this friend," Jack says, and something in his voice completely shifts.
Hold up. We're talking about childhood trauma and suddenly his whole energy changes when he mentions... a friend? I'm thinking, Jack, mate, your storytelling needs work. But then I notice he's not just saying "friend", he's saying it the way you'd say "lifeline."
Turns out, this friend was a born-again Christian. And when a grown man calls someone his best friend with that kind of reverence in his voice, you know there's more to this story.
Jack's tone went from casual storytelling to something deeper, quieter. The kind of quiet that happens right before someone tells you something that changed everything. I literally leaned forward in my seat.
Here's what happened: Jack hit rock bottom. We're talking homeless, hopeless, the whole tragic package. And this friend? He didn't just throw him some change and a "God bless you." No, no, no.
This man opened his home. Fed him. Clothed him. But here's the kicker, Jack said the meals and the roof weren't even the best part.
"He made me feel like I belonged there," Jack told me. "Not like charity. Not like a burden. Like... family."
I'm getting goosebumps just writing this.
Want to know the most beautiful part? This friend never once, not ONCE, preached to Jack. Didn't hand him a Bible. Didn't invite him to church. Didn't even mention Jesus.
He just loved him so well that Jack couldn't help but wonder: What kind of God makes people this kind?
And that question? That curiosity? That's what led Jack straight to Jesus.
Jack looked at me through the rearview mirror and said: "My friend's kindness made me curious. I had to know; which God does this man serve? I want to serve that God."
Y'all. I was NOT ready for this level of storytelling in my Tuesday Uber ride.
Living a Life That Testifies
Imagine living your life in such a way that it testifies by itself.
I loved this story. It happened years ago, but it's still fresh in my mind. That day, I walked away with more than just a ride, I discovered a lifestyle that speaks louder than sermons.
I was challenged as a Christian to ask myself hard questions about my faith and how I walked it out. I felt challenged to talk less and live more, letting my actions carry the message.
Jack is now a gospel musician, by the way. What a beautiful turnaround in his story.
Why Vulnerability Matters (The Real Point of Today)
Here's the thing, today's post isn't really about Jack. It's about the power of vulnerability.
Jack didn't have to tell me his story. I'm glad he did. It's a lesson I carry with me everywhere I go. I love conversations like these, where vulnerability doesn't feel as scary. I'm still on my journey with this one, but I'm learning there is power in vulnerability.
NARI especially has been that space for me. And what I'm learning is this: sometimes what we fear will drive people away might be the very thing God uses to bring people closer.
"Strength kept me hidden, but vulnerability let me breathe again."
What This Means for NARI
One of the core foundations of NARI is vulnerability. Not the cute, curated kind, the real kind.
So this article closes out our foundation chapters. Here's what we've laid down so far, the foundation of this house we're building:
- Post 1: NARI — The Name & Why We Exist → anchoring identity
- Post 2: Purpose → anchoring direction
- Post 3: Power of Vulnerability (this one!) → anchoring heart & approach
We're building NARI's house brick by brick: Who we are.
Why we're here.
How we live it out.
A Verse to Keep You Brave
"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." — 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)
If Paul can boast in his weakness... maybe we can stop apologizing for ours.
That's it for today's post.
Leave me a comment, I love hearing your thoughts and feedback!
See you on the next one!
Till then, I wish you wholeness and joy.
Shalom! ✨
Reply right.. i love this!
This was beautiful has left me with a couple of challenging questions for myself and my walk with God. Thank you 😊