The Purpose of Introverts
If you are anything like me you are introverted and sometimes you are insecure in it. I’m here to tell you that it is ok if you are introverted or extroverted. Do not let anyone tell you that you are less than because you don’t meet their standards. You should never seek out others’ standards only God’s. I studied the Powerful Purpose of Introverts for a week because I felt like such crap because I couldn’t meet someone in my life’s standards. I received some hate for being so quiet and not being overly chatty. I now have a different view on being introverted and I am no longer insecure in it.
What is an introvert? An introvert is someone who is reserved and quiet, someone who enjoys spending time alone. Genesis 1: 26-31 says “Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.” So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God, he created them; male and female, he created them. Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.” Then God said, “Look! I have given you every seed-bearing plant throughout the earth and all the fruit trees for your food. And I have given every green plant as food for all the wild animals, the birds in the sky, and the small animals that scurry along the ground—everything that has life.” And that is what happened. Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good! (NLT” God made us all in his image. Being introverted is not a mistake. There is a reason God made us the way we are. God isn’t a fool, we shouldn’t question his reason. We shouldn't feel insecure about who we are. God was pleased with his creation. Introverts do have a purpose!
As an introvert, I practice solitude consciously and subconsciously. Solitude is being alone in the sense of withdrawing from people, feeling closer to God, others, and even ourselves. Even Jesus practiced solitude. Solitude is not social isolation. I get hate sometimes for enjoying my solitude and withdrawing from others. I need to recharge by myself. Genesis 2:18 says “Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is right for him.” (NLT)” God will put people in our lives who are good for who we are and help us thrive in our purpose. Luke 5:15-16 says “But despite Jesus’ instructions, the report of his power spread even faster, and vast crowds came to hear him preach and to be healed of their diseases. But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer (NLT).” Even Jesus needed time alone. It’s ok to be by ourselves, we can use this time to recharge, talk to God, and evaluate our lives. Not everyone thrives being with others all the time and that is ok.
Todays society is definitely about how popular we are, how involved we are. As introverts sometimes we are discounted as anti-social, cold people. The people who are close to us feel our love and care. Some of the most caring people are introverts. We should not allow society to take that from us. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 says “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance (NLT).” When I read these verses I think of married people or someone in a relationship but it can relate to anyone. It outlines how we care and love others. Love is patient and kind.
Society emphasizes extroverts as our leaders but some of the greatest leaders are introverts. Just because we aren’t loud and bubbly doesn’t mean we can’t be leaders. Introverts are good at leading from behind the scenes and being the support. Matthew 20:24-28 says “When the ten other disciples heard what James and John had asked, they were indignant. But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you, it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. For even the Son of Man came not to be served by to serve others and to give his life as ransom for many.” (NLT)” To be successful, leaders must be selfless and humble, regardless of being introverted or extroverted.
Church is very important! But some people feel closer to God when they are in solitude, their spiritual moments are in silence. Go to church, worship, hear the message then take it to God in solitude. Do what you need to do to feel close to him. 1 Corinthians 12: 12-27 says “The human body has many parts, but the many parts makes up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit. Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything? But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. How strange a body would be if it had only one part! Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.” In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen, while the more honorable parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it (NLT).” The Human Body is made of many functioning parts just like the church. The church is made of different backgrounds, personalities, etc. The church is made up of introverts and extroverts alike. We all have a place in the church.
As a whole introverts have highly reactive nervous systems creating issues with anxiety. On the flip side introverts are very empathetic. Growth is not changing who we are but by taking our struggles and making them strengths. God doesn’t compare us or condemn us to anyone else so we shouldn't either. We are created in his image. Psalms 139:13-16 says “You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous-how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed (NLT).” God knew us before anyone else. He had our story written. We are made in his image. We are not a mistake in who we are. We should thank God for creating us to be introverts or extroverts. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 says “Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong (NLT).” God makes our weaknesses strengths. We should not feel down when we face hardships, God knows what he is doing and we need to let him work in our lives.
So what is our Powerful Purpose??! Introverts are created to be the living echo of Gods gentle voice. God didn’t make us to be loud and obnoxious disciples, he made us to gently carry the Word of God to others. 1 Kings 19:11-12 says ““Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper (NLT).” The Lord isn’t in the wind, in the destruction but in the calm, in the gentle whisper. When there is hustle and craziness God is in the calm and quite. It is ok to be in the quiet and calm, we will find God there.
After reading what God says about the calm and the quiet and how he made us to fulfill a purpose I hope your takeaway is that it is ok to be who God made us to be. We shouldn’t carry around other’s opinions of us. If we are God-fearing individuals who carry the Word of God and help others we are doing the Lord’s work. It is ok to be introverted because we do have a purpose.
