There are many circumstances in this life that can make a person vulnerable. Shortly after birth, the infant Jesus was in great physical danger born out of the king’s jealousy and insecurity. We might experience vulnerability connected to our experiences, too – experiences of trauma, disappointment, loss, illness, or financial stress. It just stands to reason that if this is true for ourselves then it holds true to varying degrees for those around us. For some, the burden of vulnerability is clear to see, for others it remains hidden, bubbling under the surface.
Our reading from 1 John reminds us that, “God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all.“ Although bad things can happen to good people, it’s an important spiritual practice to acknowledge that God does not delight in seeing us struggle. God does not meter out pain so that we can pass some sort of cosmic test to walk alongside of him.
To ‘walk in the light’ does not mean having a perfectly comfortable life. It doesn’t mean being strong in the eyes of the world, financially secure, or physically capable. Those things come and go. Renewing our faithfulness to God, reordering our lives to live more justly, and loving God and neighbor are the paths of light.
When we walk in the light we find the collective strength of those who are on the same path. But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, then we have fellowship with one another, and the Blood of his Son Jesus cleanses us from all sin. You are a shelter for others on the path, a shield for their vulnerability, just as they are a shelter for you. We are woven together.