IN / EX ?

Note: It has been a long time for not writing something long. Now I present you a confession of an introvert.

  

Every student that learns Latin and/or Greek knows that the prefix "in-" denotes something inside, while the prefix "ex-" denotes something outside. Examples are internal/external, include/exclude, intensive/extensive. And last but not least, introvert/extrovert.

 

Ever since I was young I have this kind of introvert's attitude. Like to do things alone. Love to do things that is meant to be done alone. Game, anime, reading, blogging, social network, sleeping will be his list of habits. Until 23 years old only I confirmed that I am a pure and true introvert. 

Not to say that introverts do not like to associate with other people or don't have friends, but introverts just simply not good in socialising with other people. They take time to know other people and be friend with them. Hence they tend to associate with old friends, and tend not to get new friends.

 

Not to say that introverts do not like to do group activities or hang out with others, but introverts simply do not know what to do in group activities, in which there are many strangers. Because they do not know what to do or say, they feel these type of group activities is a waste of time, since they can spend the same amount of time doing something more beneficial and constructive. Hence they tend to involve in activities that involve just a few people, or simply in activities that was meant to be done alone, as listed above.

 

Not to say that introverts are proud, but introverts simply do not know how to express their emotion. Hence they are usually emotionless. The emotion that they usually will show is shyness, but somehow this shyness perceived by some people as prideful.

 

Not to say that introverts never fall in love with other people, but introverts simple do not know how to express their feelings. They scare their confessions fail and the friendships will be destroyed, especially in view of the limited amount of friendships they have. Hence they rarely and sometime never confess to their love ones, even if they become really close with the one they love. Sad isn't it?

 

It have been year for an introvert to live like this. And it is discouraging for this introvert. However yesterday this introvert heard a confession from another introvert. It is encouraging to heard him said these words:

Plead with God to make your in-disposition to be with people a blessing to people. 

In other words, I would say after 33 years, my default after preaching is to go home and pray and read, not to hang out for three hours over a meal. That’s my disposition. 

I do hang out for an hour and pray with people,  and I’m glad I do, 
and it is rewarding to do it.... 

If you're wired that way, instead of constantly praying God would make you 
another kind of person, pray that he would make you really useful for people. 

I think he’s done that for me....  
 - John Piper - 

 

Can introvert be a loving person? Yes! 

How introvert loves others? Through the characters and the activities of an introvert, blessings can be pour out to others, by the grace of God.

Solution? Plead with God to make your in-disposition to be with people a blessing to people.

____________________

  

But by the grace of God I am what I am, 

and his grace to me was not without effect. 

No, I worked harder than all of them — yet not I, 

but the grace of God that was with me.

1 Corinthians 15:10