8:21 AM
Erstwhile commenter Leroy sent me a link to an article, implying that I am an introvert. Here's a clip from the article:
"Some introverts aren't stereotypically shy and can strike up conversations with anyone. These introverts enjoy talking and listening to people, and going to parties and events. But most introverts would rather be at home. Introverts can find small talk easy but tiring – and sometimes boring. They'd rather have meaningful conversations about the depths of human souls and minds, but find few opportunities (those aren't your usual conversations at water coolers or dinner parties!)."
I've gotten clues of my introvertedness in things like the fact that I'd rather play the piano for 1,000 people than for 10 people. Not that I desire a larger audience -- I think the whole thing just less personal that way.
I've found that making adjustments to one's natural tendencies in order to show (and have) love for and interest in others' lives can be a daunting and incredibly difficult task -- but an absolutely necessary one. As I've noted before, I am not naturally predisposed to just like people, but God worked in an amazing way in this area of my personality when I actually laid it at His feet. ("Hey, God, this personality thing is just not working out -- I'm a jerk! Can I get a new one?")
So here I go, hammering on the overall theme of this blog: "But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves." (James 1:22, NLT)
Recognition of some of the problems associated with our personality types is just knowledge-gathering. Neat info, but worthless to the Christ-follower unless it is used to correct areas which negatively impact others and cast a negative reflection on Jesus Christ.
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Manga, anyone?
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[image: Serious Post Ahead warning sign]
Not my usual post, thought it needed a warning!
I was in Barnes & Noble the other day, and noticed something that ...
2 comments:
I've found that understanding myself (which is harder than it sounds) is key to recognizing my sinful and selfish behavior, though and coping patterns. I am a "highly expresive introvert" and understanding just that has been huge for me. I also am an only child,a relationally oriented person, yada yada. All of that helps us to see not only our strengths but our weaknesses. I really do believe self-knowledge is key to knowing God more deeply. Without honesty about our ownselves, how can we be truly intimate with God?
I have come to realize this IS the process of sanctification. Since God is "light" His moral illumination is much like a spotlight in a dark and cluttered room. Through years of sin and rebellion, we have dimmed the lights and created a mess in this room of ours.
Through obtaining knowledge of God's truth through His word and Holy Spirit, God gently illuminates the dark and cluttered areas of our personalities and character. As these areas of our lives are illuminated it is our duty (out of love and devotion) to take action to clean-up that which God has so graciously exposed to us. Keep in mind that God only illuminates that which he knows you can currently handle or are currently capable of "cleaning-up".
I would not necessarily call these damaged areas of our lives as being sinful as sin is knowledge of knowing what is good or right and refusing to act upon that knowledge. Sin would be that God has shown us a problematic area of our life and we dig our heels in and refuse to act or change as a result of this revelation.
The real challenge here is whether or not your walking in complete submission to God when he does expose an area of "clutter" in your life. If one should decide they will not change or alter this problem in their life, then they are in jeopardy of becoming an apostate. Refusal to change is utter rebellion to God and He will not tolerate a rebellious attitude. As long as we are working in conjunction with God to change these damaged areas of our lives then we are still walking in submission to Him. It is this verse in Philippians that I am reminded of this process:
Php 2:12-13 So then, my beloved, even as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; (13) for it is God who worketh in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure.
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