It was for freedom that Christ set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1
A Flowering Bulb
Our hearts can stay closed up like a flowering bulb, yet to bloom, yet to be seen. We give so many reasons why we won't share. If we want others to open up to us, we need to be willing to share our most vulnerable places with them. It provides a genuine connection.
Sue Muckley
11/25/20252 min read
It is fascinating to watch for signs of life as Spring arrives. After a long winter, up comes an inch of promise that daffodils will spring forth. When they start to come alive, I see the tops of the stems peeping through the winter ground. Next, I see the stems get longer. Then the beautiful flower blooms. What begins as a hard, unpromising bulb in the fall becomes a beautiful flower, returning in bloom year after year.
In the summer of 2022, several couples went on a Bike Trip through Austria and Germany. The prepared devotions focused on the stations of the cross. Each day, we would read a different devotion and then discuss it as a group. One morning, the discussion was on being known. The picture I got was a flowering bulb. I thought about how a bulb is tightly closed, with no promise of life. It made me think of times when I can be like one of those bulbs, not allowing myself to be known. It made me think of those who aren't allowing themselves to be known. Inside a bulb is a beautiful flower yet to be seen. There are so many variables to allowing ourselves to be known, and with trusted friends, it's a great place to start. I need to let people in when I am struggling and share vulnerably about my circumstances. When I allow my authentic and beautiful self to share, it enables others to feel safe and desire to be known too.
I had been in a tough place emotionally. I remember sharing it with my counselor, Sharon. She asked me if I had shared this with my friends. I had not. I struggled silently and preferred to hide.
Do I feel ashamed for feeling this way? Do I feel embarrassed to share it? Am I scared of being vulnerable? Am I afraid of being rejected?
Sometimes it just feels heavy. I need to get curious and pray. Recently, I found myself in a situation and prayed, asking God what was going on. I asked Him what I couldn't see. I was surprised by one of the answers I received. I heard, "hurt". That is not something I would be comfortable sharing. Why not? Do I share this with the person? Opening my heart to another person can feel risky. I need to be okay with the discomfort and share my heart with others.
My heart matters to God. He desires that I feel safe sharing it with Him and with close friends, so they can pray, encourage, and support me. I can either share my heart with them or stay closed up like a bulb, sharing nothing. If I truly value our relationship and the freedom God has given me, then I need to remain open, honest, and present about where I really am. Honesty honors both the relationship and the work God is doing in me. Staying open creates space for trust, connection, and genuine understanding to grow.