I’ve always been comfortable in crowds, and never shy in front of people.  I guess God created me that way knowing what He planned to do with me.  As I learned about personality types, I discovered I was referred to as an extrovert.

Extroverts gain energy from being with others.  Alone time bores them and they are constantly in search of a “party.”  Introverts occupy the opposite end of the spectrum.  They gain their strength in solitude and reflection. The introvert often feels drained after entertaining or dealing with others.

I noticed a trend as I have grown old(er).  I found myself seeking more time apart from the crowd.  But I was not becoming a full blown introvert.  Most of the time, I still gained energy from engaging others, but I also increasingly enjoyed times of solitude.  My trend toward introversion troubled me at first.  I wondered if that trend indicated an emotional or spiritual need I needed to address. 

Not long ago, I learned a new word that described where I stood on the “vert” continuum:  ambivert.  Just as someone who is ambidextrous uses both hands, so also an ambivert find benefit in both engagement and solitude.

Was Jesus an Ambivert?

As I reflected on the life of Jesus, I began to see in Him a very healthy pattern of ambiversion.  Much of the time, Jesus ministered to crowds.  There was a hungry multitude on a hillside, a packed house in Capernaum, and a pushy crowd at the beach. Crowds followed Jesus most places He went.  And if they didn’t follow Him there, they soon gathered around Him when they discovered where He was.

But the Gospel accounts also include many times that Jesus withdrew from the crowds.  He often spent time in solitude so He could pray.  He would pull His twelve disciples aside and spend time with just them.  And three of the twelve often spend quality time with Jesus beyond the time afforded the other nine.  Jesus lived both a quiet life and a busy life.  They are compatible.

Finding Balance

The lesson for us is one of balance.  As human beings, we need margins.  We need time alone to recharge spiritually, emotionally, and physically.  We need time to think, reflect, pray, and especially to listen.

One the other hand, we cannot escape the calling to engage others. God did not design us to live in isolation.  We are individual members of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27).  We need contact with others, and we need to invest in others.

So my challenge to you is to find your balance.  Do you spend adequate quiet time with God?  Do you read His Word and listen to His Spirit as He communicates with you?  God does not shout; He whispers. 

So from this moment on, what will be your plan for intentional solitude?  How and when will you quiet your soul, mind, and heart before God?  How will you ensure you get adequate physical rest?

THEN… what is your plan to engage others?  How will Christ use you to accomplish what He wishes in others’ lives?  Will you go ON MISSION with Him?  To this He has call you, to allow Him to work in and through you for His good pleasure. 

It’s time we become ambivert disciples.

Verses about spiritual introversion:  Psalm 46:10, Psalm 63:1, John 15:1-6,

Verses about spiritual extroversion: Matthew 28:19-20, 1 Peter 4:10, Romans 12:11