itsawonderfilledlife

For those of us who tend toward processing our thoughts on the inside, quiet is always a healing, refreshing, nourishing place to be. It feeds us, re-energizing us for the ‘peopling’ that is, inevitably, to come.

That can be a tough reality for those close to us who tend toward a more extroverted manner of thinking and living. It just doesn’t make sense that one would want to be alone and silent when one could speak thoughts before they even develop in the brain (I might be seeing this from an introvert perspective).

Of course few of us are completely one or the other. Most of us have times and seasons, situations and places where we cross the invisible line into the realm of the ‘other’ person.

For instance I am very comfortable speaking in front of a large group of people, yet, in most circles of three or four, I usually take the place of listener. Yet, put me into my ‘Fanboys’ (a pet name for ourselves) foursome and I can talk as much or as little as the rest. Time, place and the individuals involved make a big difference in my ability to be silent or gab.

There are many times when those of us who tend towards introvert can feel that we need to speak up to seen, heard. For some our silence can leave others to feel that we are disinterested. Others can feel as though they will be overlooked for professional promotions if they do not ‘become’ a loud and proud leader among their peers.

Yet, I feel affirmed in my seeking of silence when I look at the Bible. When I read of Moses not wanting to be God’s mouthpiece, so God provided Aaron. Or how the apostle that Jesus loved, John, was most definitely an introvert. Then there is Jesus … whether he tends toward that of introvert or extrovert, I am empowered and encouraged when I read of how he would go off, alone when the crowds got to be just too much.

“When life is heavy and hard to take,
    go off by yourself. Enter the silence.
Bow in prayer. Don’t ask questions:
    Wait for hope to appear.”
Lamentations 3:28-29

“Only in fellowship do we learn to be rightly alone and only alone do we learn to be rightly in fellowship” Dietrich Bonhoeffer