It Starts Small

Do not stare at me because I am dark,
for the sun has gazed on me.
My mother’s sons were angry with me;
they made me take care of the vineyards.
I have not taken care of my own vineyard.

Songs 1:6

In verse 6, the bride reveals her heart with a passionate candor – she has endured mistreatment, experienced misunderstanding, and persevered through relentless toil. Her sun-kissed skin bears witness not to sin but to the sacrifices made for others. Tasked with tending to the vineyards, she finds her own spirit – her very “vineyard” – left to wither in neglect. The profound ache of being overlooked by those we cherish runs deep, yet here she bravely lays her truth bare for all to see.

Spiritually, this reflects the profound reality that many endure: pouring so much into others that we tragically overlook our own sacred journey with God. Her vulnerability shines with holiness—it boldly acknowledges her wounds and fervently beckons for restoration. She does not dwell in self-pity but rather embraces an honest rawness, carving out an expansive space for true healing. Theologically, this resonates as a passionate cry for justice and restoration, a clarion call for the soul’s awakening.

⁹ Even my friend in whom I trusted,
one who ate my bread,
has raised his heel against me.

Psalm 41:9

Psalm 41:9 powerfully reflects her anguish—betrayed and weighed down by those meant to shower her with love. Christ, too, endured betrayal at the hands of His own, and because of this, He profoundly understands our suffering. He perceives the depths of our pain, seeing what others often overlook.

Psychologically, the neglect of one’s inner life can thrust us into the depths of burnout, depression, and a profound sense of purposelessness. When we give without boundaries or carry the weight of others’ expectations, disregarding our own soul’s needs, we become weary and hollow. Yet, when we dare to acknowledge this imbalance, the journey of healing begins! Naming our pain is the bold first step towards recovery. Neuroscience reveals that chronic stress and emotional invalidation disrupt our brain’s very essence, eroding our joy and resilience. However, when we are embraced with genuine empathy, our brains begin to beautifully reorganize around safety and connection. God, in His infinite grace, offers His safe presence. He sees the vibrant vineyard of your soul, even when no one else does, and He passionately desires to tend to it alongside you.

Today’s passage stirs a powerful reminder to cease our incessant performing and embrace the art of abiding. We need not conceal our weary corners from Him; rather, we can boldly present them in His presence, yearning for renewal. He longs to assist us in reclaiming the vibrant vineyard of our soul, breathing life into the very depths of our being.

Journal Prompts:

• What areas of your life are overworked and/or neglected?
• Where do you need God to tend your soul?

Practical Steps and Application:

1. Identify one part of your life that feels neglected – emotional, spiritual, or physical.
2. Block out 15 minutes today to rest or reflect with God in that area.
3. Tell God the truth: What has been draining you and how you need Him to help restore you.

Deeper Introspection:

To be vulnerable with God is to lay bare your soul before Him, embracing authenticity without a trace of pretense or concealment. This fervent practice ripples through the sacred scriptures, shining brightly in the heart of David’s Psalms, where unfiltered emotions, fervent doubts, and haunting fears burst forth in a glorious symphony of honesty. When we approach God with a heart laid open, we invite His transformative grace to weave through our weaknesses, igniting a deep and passionate relationship with the Divine that transcends all understanding.

Read the following Scriptures. How does God’s Word encourage us to be vulnerable with Him and what is the result of vulnerability?

• 1 John 1:9
• Psalm 139:23–24
• Philippians 4:6–7
• 2 Corinthians 12:9–10
• Psalm 62:8
• Hebrews 4:15–16

Journal prompts for vulnerable prayer

On your relationship with God

• Honesty: What parts of life are hidden from God? Why is there a fear of being honest about struggles?
• Disappointment: Is there an area where God has let you down? Write about this disappointment without filtering feelings. Bring your questions to him.
• Desire: What do you most deeply desire, and are you willing to surrender that desire to God and trust his plan? (See Psalm 37:4)

On your weaknesses and failures

• Confession: When sins are confessed, do you offer only surface-level statements, or do you truly admit the specific sin and your part in it? (See James 5:16)
• Weakness: Where do you feel the most weak or inadequate? Instead of pretending, how can you “boast” in this weakness so that God’s power can be revealed?
• Shame: What past mistake or hurt are you carrying shame from? Write about how this shame makes you feel distant from God, and ask him to heal the pain.

On your thoughts and emotions

• Hidden feelings: What emotions have you been avoiding or pushing down recently? Allow yourself to feel them fully, and write to God about them.
• Anxiety: What fears, worries, and anxieties are weighing on your heart and mind right now? Write them out and ask God to replace them with his peace.
• Heart-check: Ask God to reveal your true intentions. (See Jeremiah 17:10) Are your motives for doing good things truly pure, or are you seeking human approval?

On trusting God’s timing

• Waiting: Is there something you are tired of waiting for God to do? Write about your impatience and how it challenges your faith.
• Stuckness: What are the specific thoughts or habits that make you feel spiritually stuck? Confess these to God and ask for help in moving forward.
• Listening: Take time to simply listen. After pouring out your heart, write down what you sense God might be saying in return, paying attention to what aligns with his character and scripture.

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© Kimberlee Smith 2025 http://www.itstartssmall.com All rights reserved.