“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 as many people as possible was how I felt the love of God working in my life.
I don’t think I had a great answer for him then, and he didn’t really share his thoughts at the moment, but I’ve never forgotten his question.
Because we’ve been asked to let our light shine.
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 baking treats and 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 your “shining” looks different, smaller, less important, 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 – 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
9 Responses
My friend is a real extrovert, and she is married to a serious introvert. But when she was visiting me and talking about my needs I expressed the frustration about not being able to keep up with the garden. She said her husband loved pottering around the garden. I said tell him that he is welcome. But didn’t think any more about it. Then one day I saw him come in the side gate and just start working. I went out to talk, but he didn’t want to talk, so I left him alone. He took every single weed out of my garden and then left. I could not believe what an amazing job he did in my garden. And all very quietly. He wanted to stay out of the way, not talk, and no noise, but also no weeds. So appreciated.
Oh that is so perfect! Service does not have to be extroverted! Thank you for sharing <3
So much truth in your lesson! I am an introvert-but share the light in what I do!
Love this! And I’m sure people appreciate your example and light.
I have a son in his 20’s that is on the introvert side. I watch him quietly go about doing so much service, never pointing it out, never looking for credit. During this Covid time, he has gone over to clean the church once it opened every week almost always by himself. By the time my husband I think about it Saturday late afternoon and ask if we should go over to clean, in his quiet way he say’s, “I got it done”. I have lost count of the times he has stopped to help a stranger or neighbor fix a broken down car, stop to help carry things into a house, fix something broken for someone elderly. He lifts others burdens. He is the action part of sharing the gospel. In him, I see actions speak volumes.
He sounds like an amazing son who has been taught well.
I so enjoy your posts each week as they help me gain more insight into my scripture study. It is always so great to get new perspectives on things so I appreciate your willingness to share. Being an introvert myself this one really hit home.
Thank you! I’m so glad you enjoy them.
???? from an introvert! Thank you for the inspiration!