Cru15: Ideas For Making Your Life CountSample

Authority and Vulnerability

God created you in His image. But what does that profound truth mean? In part, it means that God has designed you with certain qualities that are true of Him. One of these qualities is authority. Author and speaker Andy Crouch defines authority as “the capacity for meaningful action.” It is clear to see how God has authority. He is all-powerful and can act meaningfully in any situation. And when compared to all other creatures, it is also clear to see that God has given humans a greater capacity to act meaningfully in the world just the same. But as Andy explains, there is more to God than just authority.

Authority and vulnerability combine to make up the image of God. Have you ever viewed God as vulnerable? As Andy defines it, vulnerability is “the exposure to meaningful risk,” and risk is “the possibility of loss.” By creating us, God has made Himself vulnerable. Give some thought to how you have been reflecting the image of God into your own life. Are you taking meaningful action in the world, even if it exposes you to risk? Or, have you considered extending your authority to those who have an inability to take meaningful action? By being vulnerable in this way, you will bear the image of God in the way He intended.