“Do you think introverts can still be good members of the church?”
My friend and I were having a discussion years ago about sharing the gospel, visiting teaching, and feeling uplifted, all by being social.
And her very introverted husband interrupted us and asked this question.
It kind of stopped me in my tracks, because I had just been talking about how connecting and talking with people was how I felt the love of God working in my life.
I don’t think I had a great answer for him then, but I have never forgotten his question.
Jesus taught:
“Therefore let your light so shine before this people, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (3 Nephi 12:16)
And since I’m pretty extroverted, it’s not natural for me to understand others’ desires to NOT be social and interact with people.
But I feel that as I’ve matured and grown, I’ve learned that absolutely 100% without a doubt that introverted people can still let their lights shine and be perfect examples of gospel living.
Why?
Because we ALL have the light of Christ within us.
Sharing our “light” doesn’t mean getting up on stage and belting out a solo.
It doesn’t mean carrying out lengthy conversations with everyone in the ward.
It doesn’t mean putting your testimony on social media every single day.
It CAN mean those things, but it certainly doesn’t have to.
Letting our light shine means letting the Light of Christ naturally shine through as we develop our strengths that we have been given.
And if that means that you think your “shining” looks different, smaller, or less interesting than the ways that other people “shine”, it truly doesn’t matter.
If we are doing good works and leaning into our unique strengths, Christ can help us become more than we are now.
He can amplify our light and stretch us to become even brighter.
So what is YOUR unique way that you can shine? It will probably look different than mine, or your spouse’s, or your friend’s –
But comparison is the thief of joy.
So turn your attention to the Savior – how can you let your personal God-given light shine in the best way that only you can?
Happy Studying!
-Cali Black
