Introvert

On every personality test I have taken over the years, I have always been rated as an introvert. In fact, my introvert ranking is as strongly in that category as you can get.

Being an introvert does not mean that I don’t like people. In fact, I do like people. It is just that people draw energy out of me, while extroverts gain energy when they are with people.

Our culture does not understand or value introverts. We expect people to be outgoing and excited about every opportunity to party with others. By contrast I prefer interaction with a smaller number of people, or preferably one on one discussions. Sometimes I will decline an invitation to an event, preferring to be alone. If my wife and I have spent several days in a row with groups of people, she knows that I will need a break.

So, it’s not that I don’t like people, it’s just that I prefer them in smaller doses. Jesus knew the need to withdraw from people at times. He taught the thousands, but then withdrew to teach the twelve or to pray in solitary.

I find it interesting that the Old Testament law was to love your neighbor as yourself. But Jesus updated this law with a new commandment. “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” The new commandment has a higher standard for love. Now we are to love as Jesus loved not just as we love ourselves. Introvert or extrovert, we are to love as Jesus loves us. Introvert or extrovert, Jesus loves with an abounding, steadfast and eternal love.