Dare. That was point number 5 of the sermon my husband preached this past Sunday: 6 Tips for Entering the Promise Land.
““Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them.” Joshua 1:6
As he spoke about living life abundantly (or living in the promised land), Shane confessed his sometimes-struggle with social anxiety.
As an introvert, for Shane to be strong and courageous means leaving the security of solitude behind. To open up. To construct conversation instead of walls of comfort. It’s a dare.
However, I am the opposite. Talking with people does not require courage for me. Public speaking comes naturally. Being the center of attention, and using it to point people to Jesus, gives me an absolute thrill.
No. My Dare is something different entirely. Becky’s “strong and courageous” is to embrace the mundanity of motherhood.
- At home.
- With the same 2 people.
- Building blocks instead of conversation.
- Sounding out consonants instead of discussing complex ideas.
- Introducing myself to Gigi the Giraffe instead of new people in our community.
Being at home is absolutely, without a doubt, NOT my comfort zone. And yet, it is ABSOLUTELY my calling right now.
I have two gorgeous spaghetti-smeared faces that confirm that calling daily.
I could let my personal bent as a social-butterfly define how I spend my energy. But that would greatly infringe the opportunity to teach, guide, and play with my kids, where my presence and ATTENTION is paramount.
It’s no secret that the vacating of comfort can drain us. Shane sometimes gets depleted when he extroverts with people all day. I too feel I have nothing left after introverting all day.
Here is the beautiful part:
This draining is good.
“He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.” John 3:30
When we don our brave and walk boldly into our calling, especially when that calling clashes with our natural tendencies, we can identify with Christ.
This is how God calls an extrovert out of her comfort-zone: He gives her twins to raise. This task forces me to rely on His grace, guidance, and Presence with me every day. It is sanctifying and redemptive and fulfilling and exhausting.
It is also a unique avenue for gospel-sharing, by reflecting Christ both to my family, and this world.
Christ was the first to deny his personal bent. Although inclined to glory, Lordship, and omnipotence…
“He gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:7-8)
So we could be saved.
That He would give me a chance to reflect this comfort-zone denial astounds me.
I still make a weekly effort for heart-care. I get out of the house, meet with people, and dig deep into Scripture. That is just wise emotional health attention.
However, it is the out-of-my-comfort-zone routine and solitude that ushers me further into this abundant life with Christ.
And that, ironically, is a comforting thought.