If Ears Could Talk

Do you ever have those times when God has put something on your heart and then the pastor talks about it in his sermon? It happens all the time for me! I think it is great that pastors tailor their sermons after my life, but there are other people in the congregation.

In 1 Corinthians 12:12-19, Paul compares the church to the body of Christ. 

Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.

Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

I have really been struggling to come to terms with being an introvert. In our culture, if you are not an extrovert, you are considered weird and awkward, and in my case, mistaken for being a snob. 

My true personality has always leaned toward that of an introvert. When I was younger, I was always drawn to extroverts. I love how they can liven up any room they are in, everyone walks away smiling, and everyone wants to be their friend. Being the true introvert I am, I studied extroverts. 

I would take notes on what they would talk about, studied their body language, mannerisms, and even inflections in their voice. I wanted to be an extrovert so badly. I would even try to mimick the extrovert ways. But being an introvert with a mask on always seemed awkward to me. 

Lately, though, God has really been working on my heart. I really need to embrace the personality given to me by Him. 

According to psychcentral.com, here are some benefits about being an introvert

As an introvert you may find you have a greater appreciation of subtlety and understatement — talents that, when harnessed, can become great strengths. Taking longer to answer questions is not a personality flaw, but means that you’re making more mental connections and your answers are likely to contain more substance. Extroverts would have to make an effort to think as deeply as you do naturally.

Your self-sufficiency also can be an advantage, as you don’t habitually judge yourself in terms of how others rate you. On the contrary, you are able to focus clearly on your day’s achievements.

Without the pressing need to be sociable or gain attention and approval, you can spend time on relationships and close friendships, which are often more profound than those shared by extroverts.

I have come to appreciate my gift of being able to pick up subtle things about people. Maybe I am an exception to the rule of introverts, but I do enjoy being around people. I just like listening. In group gatherings, I don't mind not being in the middle of the conversation as long as I can observe. 

So if I am a part of the body of Christ, I guess I am the ear. This whole time I have been frustrated that my ear cannot talk. Now I am ready for God to use my ability to observe to serve others.