As I kept driving, I saw five more snowmen, also all without a patch of snow anywhere around them. "How in the world have these snowmen not melted?" I wondered, as the temperature hovered around 60 degrees.
I guess when you gather those millions of snowflakes together, they can endure much more and remain much longer.
I love people. I am like 98% people-oriented and maybe 2% goal-oriented. But I am an introvert. All the way, baby--I am textbook! When I was single, I used to take a long drive by myself almost every single night (gas was a lot cheaper then). Being with people makes me very happy and I love being in large groups--I have a blast while I'm there. But sometimes I feel like I could hibernate afterward!
I have to be careful, though, not to isolate myself, not to feel like it's only just me and God. Or even just me, God, Justin and the kids. I NEED PEOPLE. I was made to need people, introvert or not. And when I pull back too much, the enemy can really use that isolation. Any predator has a better shot at its prey when it's alone. So even though my need to withdraw can be a really good and even necessary thing, it has to be kept in check, otherwise I know I become...vulnerable. Susceptible. My Shepherd has me as part of a flock for a reason, and it's not good to be isolated for too long.
As one lone snowflake out there, we can easily melt away when even a little heat comes. But when we're packed together with other believers for the purpose of Kingdom stuff, the heat can come and we'll still be a part of something that's standing.
If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Ecclesiastes 4:10-12
Another home run post! A lot of people think an extrovert is friendly, and an introvert is shy. That's simply not true.
ReplyDeleteThe best explanation I've heard is that an extrovert RECEIVES energy from being with people and comes away rejuvenated, and an introvert EXPENDS energy and comes away spent.
I am also an introvert, Thea, and people laugh when I tell them, because I'm really friendly, and not at all shy. But, the thought of being with people taxes me, and I prefer being alone (with My Man). This is a quandry I have often pondered, because I know God created me to be part of His Body. When events are looming, I have to ask myself, "Is this a merely social event (which I can choose to miss), or a time of fellowship (which is necessary)?"
Thanks for an excellent post!