US>me
I'm an extrovert. Surprise!
If you know me that may seem like an understatement.
BUT SERIOUSLY. I like people. I think about people. I pray for people. I plan for people. BUT SOMETIMES. I just want to be alone.
Anybody feel me?
Early on in my walk with Jesus. (He's made me the extrovert, that I am!) I started to see a beautiful recurrent theme in the Scriptures.
"One Another."
Hebrews 10:24 - Let us consider how we may spur one another...
John 13:34 - As I have loved you, so you must love one another...
John 13:35 - By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 - Therefore encourage one another and build each other up...
I could continue, but I think you get my drift. God assumes that we will have deep, intimate, lasting relationships with "one another." What we do for "one another" is actually, according to Jesus, the greatest testimony of who we are in this fallen world.
Sometimes even extroverts like me are tempted to go it alone. But this IS NOT God's plan.
Listen to me - I know that healthy relationships can be hard. Especially if you're a woman, like me. But this is what life is all about. Relationship with God in all of His Fullness - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And relationships with "one another."
Maybe you've been burnt. Maybe you've been broken. But maybe, just maybe you don't have to stay that way!
You can:
Be the friend you want to have. - Model. Model. Model. If no one is ever a good friend as you are to them, well at least you've done your part! Glory to God!
Invent ways to encourage the friends you already have. - Text them when you think of them! Embarrass them on Instagram or Facebook with a "love shout out!" Send them a handwritten note or letter!
Stop throwing "pity parties" and dare to love others, again. (It might seem harsh but sometimes it's the best remedy.)
Join a Group of some kind. - This may seem scary, but it doesn't have to be. Everyone in that group has problems, fears, and a past - JUST LIKE YOU.
Let God's unconditional love sink in! - Stop and think about how much God loves YOU - His ONLY Son. Only SON! That's what He gave so that He could have a relationship with YOU! When you soak that in on a regular basis it makes it easier to love other people.
God designed US to be greater than me. Together we can do more, be more, and take the world by storm! So dare to combine (not compare) your talents, your giftings, your purpose, your STORY with that of one or two or three or four or five other people and watch your life fill up with riches that cannot be explained!
Whether you're an introvert, extrovert, or inex-tro - Whatever! If you are a child of God you are designed for relationships. Now go and share yourself with your world, because it needs YOU!