Sharing Faith for Introverts

I’m 100% introvert. This has it’s pros– like I am extremely intuitive and have insights into people simply by watching and listening- but it has it’s cons, too. Sharing and being open about any topic is difficult for me. Unfortunately, this sometimes comes across as if I do not genuinely care about people, even if this is far from the truth. I just have my head wrapped around too many things. I’m sharing this so that you know that I’m not Mrs. Go-Getter Personality. The subject of “Sharing Intentionally” that we talked about last week is not going to come easy for me, so I relate to anyone out there who feels the same. However, after personal thought and Bible Study, I have a place to begin, and I hope that you will come along with me.

I grew up in the Bible belt. Have you ever seen the Bullhorn video by Rob Bell? I don’t agree with Rob Bell regarding a few things he has said and done in the media in the past years, but this video hit home for a girl who grew up taught that the only way to share Christianity was through blunt, forceful words. I have news for ya- introverts do not share anything this way. Their only other choice is to not share at all. Hence the discussion we are having today. After several years of actually being discipled in my twenties, I realized that sharing my faith involved- gasp!- a more relational approach. If we look back at Jesus’ ministry, His life was all about relationships and demonstrating His love. It was about sharing His message of the human race’s sin and how God’s compassion can heal a broken world.

So what does this have to do with Being Intentional in Sharing Our Faith? For an introvert like myself, I desire to make my faith relational to others. And, in the process, become more others centered. The challenge for this week is to get back to the basics of praying for others. Praying for someone else in need allows us to turn the focus of our prayers from ourselves to others. It also makes us spiritually “vested” in that person. Think about the times that you have prayed for someone over and over. Bringing someone before God in our prayers keeps that person on our minds and in our hearts. That will lead to other actions of love, compassion, and sharing our faith. No wonder Jesus emphasized the importance of prayer.

Of course, there are many other reasons to pray, but I’m not here to delve into those. I’m not here to admonish you on how to pray or the formula of the perfect prayer. I’m simply here to encourage you and myself to get down and dirty and have a real talk with God about a specific someone in your life who needs guidance or help. It doesn’t have to be fancy- it just has to be real.

Sort of like my daughter’s bedtime prayer tonight:

“Dear Jesus, Thank you for my day. Thank you for my Mommy and Daddy. Please help my Papa. His foot is so hurt. And please help my friend. She’s lonely.”

Be Intentional this week- pray for someone specifically.

Need a reminder? Get Intentional and print off these prayer reminder cards and tape them on your mirror, place them in your purse, or display them in your car. Simply right-click to download them to your computer and print! I made two versions- a yellow one and a blue one. Feel free to use one or both. Cut down the thin middle vertical and horizontal lines to have four cards. Share these with others to encourage them to Be Intentional, as well!