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​ The Gospel According to an Introvert

10/16/2020

18 Comments

 
​ The Gospel According to an Introvert
God’s creative design bursts with variety. In the human race, He fashioned a diverse assortment of looks, personalities, and abilities, giving a unique combination to each one of the nearly eight billion people walking around out there. 
 
He created the acrobat, the person who can trip over thin air, the beauty pageant winner, and the self-conscious preteen boy with a bad case of acne. He understands the outgoing church greeter and the quiet accountant. He designed both the orators who always know the right thing to say and the people like me who can manage to give a socially awkward response to a straightforward question.

​God didn’t make any mistakes when He made you or when He made me. As the psalmist declares, each one of us is “
fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14a). 
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The wonder of God’s creation

A part of the wonder of God’s creation of people in His image is how different we all are one from another while still being equal in worth and our ability to impact the world for His glory.

​I have had and listened to many conversations about personality differences. I would not classify myself as an extreme introvert (I enjoy an occasional party and can speak my mind when I’m comfortable with the people around me). If 
A were extreme extrovert and Z were extreme introvert, I’d place myself somewhere around a T. What does that mean? It means I can enjoy people time only if I have enough alone time to compensate. It means I prefer an evening in to an evening out, I would always choose to hang out with one friend instead of ten, and I never volunteer to lead anything. Ever.
Unless you’re an extreme extrovert, I think you can understand these feelings on some level. There’s nothing inherently wrong in these natural feelings and inclinations. God made me with these preferences. The problem comes when I use my natural personality to create a comfort-zone cushion that excuses me from serving God the way He wants me to.
What I’ve gradually come to realize, as I’ve compared what I naturally want to do with what I feel God calling me to do, is that while His creative design oozes originality and variety, His redemptive design is unchangeably singular.
​
  • There is only one Gospel.
  • Only one truth.
  • Only one way to God.
And He has called every one of His people, regardless of personality, to share that way with others.
As one of God’s unique creations, I stand more on the introverted side of the personality spectrum. There’s nothing wrong with that, but lately, God has been challenging me about using that as an excuse.
  • A natural disinclination for conflict does not excuse me from rebuking a brother or sister in Christ.
  • A preference to keep to myself does not exclude me from serving in my church.
  • A discomfort with verbal communication does not remove my responsibility to share the Gospel with unbelievers around me.

​The Gospel Comes with a House Key

Earlier this year, I read Rosaria Butterfield’s book The Gospel Comes with a House Key. I read this book with avid interest as she told story after story of how God used her and her family to reach out to their community by opening up their home and basically sharing their lives with their brothers and sisters in Christ as well as their unbelieving neighbors.
 
I ate her words up, but in the back of my mind I kept telling myself, "this wouldn’t work for me." I was amazed at what God did through her sacrifice, but I knew that I could never do what she did. My home is my sanctuary. My place to escape when I get mentally exhausted from being around people.
The Gospel Comes with a House Key
Then, near the end of the book, I came to this sentence: “I am a classic introvert.” Wait, what? I literally stopped reading and stared at the page. This woman, whose radical hospitality for the sake of the Gospel made her open up her very home to people in need was an introvert? I kept reading:
“We introverts miss out on great blessings when we excuse ourselves from practicing hospitality because it exhausts us. I often find people exhausting. But over the years, I have learned how to pace myself, how to prepare for the private time necessary to recharge, and how to grow in discomfort. Knowing your personality and your sensitivities does not excuse you from ministry. It means that you need to prepare for it differently than others might.”
Butterfield’s description of her own personality completely matches my own, and yet I had never considered that my struggles didn’t exclude me from certain ministries. I’d never seen active, people-centered ministry as something I could do (or at least do well) because I never thought about it as something we introverts are all called to do—just differently.
 
Some people might be able to jump out of bed and rush right into a day filled with people, activities, and service. I would be drained and longing for my bed and a book by hour two. But instead of telling God I can’t do it, I could ask Him for wisdom on how to prepare myself for something outside of my comfort zone.
 
In her book, Butterfield detailed how she prepared herself for ministering to people in need by learning to wake up early and have quiet alone time in the morning so that she felt relaxed and stocked up on her “me time” enough to face a day filled with serving people. This is such a different attitude than I have had toward ministry in the past.

We’re all called to share the Gospel

We’re all called to actively serve God and to actively share the Gospel. We don’t have to decide whether or not we’re capable of those things. God has already made us capable. We just have to learn strategies to prepare us for the ministry and Gospel opportunities He sends our way.
  • If God is leading you to serve in an evening ministry and evenings are usually your time to recharge away from people—change your sleep schedule and learn to get your alone time in the morning.
  • If your home is your sanctuary and you aren’t willing to use it for God’s Gospel service—confess your sin of idolatry and start having people into your home. Start small (maybe once a month) and work up to more.
  • If you can’t figure out how to answer your unsaved neighbor’s questions about God verbally because you express yourself better in writing (like me)—take the time to write down the truth. Let your neighbor read it, or better yet read it to him. Let him know that you love your God and His Gospel so much you won’t let any personality limitation stand in the way of sharing your faith.
  • If you’re an extrovert and can’t seem to slow down and stay away from people enough to get in God’s Word and spend alone time with Him—drop an activity that is standing between you and your time with God. (See, there are weaknesses on both sides of the personality spectrum.)

What do all of these scenarios have in common? ​

They all involve something we must change. God is right there prompting us. The Holy Spirit is inside convicting us. 
But we must choose to obey, and many times obedience means change:
  • a change to our schedule
  • a change to our comfort zone
  • a change to our daily lives
God doesn’t ask us to change our personalities. We all have our strengths and weaknesses. But He is our strength in whatever weakness we have.
“And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
When God calls us to do something outside of our natural strength, His strength is made perfect in our weakness. That is when our pride is stripped away and we can’t boast because we know He is the One doing the work through us.
So, don’t see your natural limitations as excuses to keep you from serving God and sharing the Gospel. See them as opportunities to learn how to rely completely on God’s strength. See them as a way to exhibit His power in your life.
Cami
If you're an introvert as well, what has helped you to share the Gospel?
Please Share
18 Comments
Wemi Omotosho link
10/16/2020 06:20:39 pm

"Knowing your personality and your sensitivities does not excuse you from ministry. It means that you need to prepare for it differently than others might" - Wow. I've never thought of it like that before. Thought-provoking and challenging post. It really spoke to me as an introvert who shrinks back in ministry because of some of the things you described. Such an important post - I've shared it ❤

Reply
Cami
10/16/2020 11:04:16 pm

Thank you, Wemi! I’m so glad you could relate! God has been teaching me lately to allow Him to use me in areas outside of my introvert’s comfort zone. It’s been a completely different way of thinking for me too! But it’s already opened my eyes to how I tend to shy away from my weaknesses instead of allowing Him to be strong in my weakness. He can use us introverts powerfully if we let Him! ❤️

Reply
Valerie Riese link
10/17/2020 07:42:34 am

Oh, Patsy, I can relate to this on so many levels and guilty as charged 100%! Thank you for your encouragement to step outside our comfort zone in obedience when He calls

Reply
Cami
10/17/2020 04:55:23 pm

I’m so glad you can relate, Valerie! I definitely wrote this to myself as well. Learning to step out in faith when He asks me to do something not in my natural comfort zone. 🙂

Reply
Sam link
10/17/2020 05:10:54 pm

Yes! This spoke to my introvert heart! In my 30s I’ve learned to love early mornings to recharge for the day ahead!

Reply
Cami
10/17/2020 10:00:38 pm

That’s so great, Sam! I’m glad you’ve found ways to recharge so you’re ready when God wants to use you!

Reply
Tammy L Kennington link
10/20/2020 10:43:53 am

I think I need to read the book you mentioned. My home is a sanctuary for me, as well. But now I'm working from home and I don't really require much outside interaction; I know God wants more than just writing and an occasional speaking "gig" from me. He's been prompting me to invite a woman and her daughter over; it's time to grow out of my comfort zone.

Thank you for this post!

Peace and grace,
Tammy

Reply
Cami
10/20/2020 11:04:43 am

Thank you for sharing this, Tammy! That’s such a specific and wonderful way that you can follow God’s prompting and step outside of your comfort zone a little bit while relying on His strength. That’s so great! I definitely recommend the book! It was eye-opening for me.

Reply
Lydia C. Lee link
10/21/2020 04:00:38 pm

I think a lot of introverts appear quite extroverted in a lot of ways. How you find your comfort zone is often not all that clear to others. #BooknificentThursdays

Reply
Cami
10/21/2020 05:03:42 pm

I agree, Lydia. Everyone is different and the terms are very broad. But I think each of us, no matter our personality need encouragement to let God use us no matter where our “comfort zone” falls.

Reply
Lisa notes link
10/22/2020 11:44:15 am

I consider myself on the moderate introvert side too. so I appreciate your encouragement to not use it as an excuse to not serve. It's tempting to at times! :) But I know it's not fruitful or obedient to lean on it as a crutch.

Reply
Cami
10/22/2020 12:06:06 pm

Hi Lisa! That’s a great way to put it. I tend to use my personality as a crutch too sometimes, but it’s funny to me that I don’t even realize I’m doing it....it’s so second nature to rationalize things away. :-)

Reply
Sarah link
10/23/2020 07:48:52 am

What a challenge you’ve launched. Thank you for stepping out.

Reply
Cami
10/23/2020 09:11:48 am

Thank you, Sarah! :-)

Reply
Lisa Blair link
10/23/2020 01:03:16 pm

This article was encouraging and convicting! Thank you for sharing your story, and the resource, The Gospel Comes with a House Key, I feel inspired!

Reply
Cami
10/23/2020 02:12:03 pm

I’m so glad, Lisa!

Reply
Donna link
10/23/2020 04:56:59 pm

Cami, thank you for this well written and insightful post! I am a confirmed introvert, and truly have struggled over the years with following God's call on my life, which included serving on the mission field in a third world country. Often God has asked me to put myself out there, and open myself up to serve, which has never been easy. But as you shared from Rosaria's Butterfield's book, we miss the blessings when we don't step outside our comfort zone. I truly appreciate the reminder! Visiting today from Grace & Truth link up!

Reply
Cami
10/23/2020 10:06:39 pm

It’s been so great to hear thoughts from so many fellow introverts this week! :-) it sounds like you have an amazing life story of following God’s leading, even when your natural inclination might be to stay home and away from people. Thank you for sharing! I love hearing examples of how God can use people and bless people who are willing to rely on His strength instead of their own. :-)

Reply

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