It is finally time for the launch of my nine month expedition into the unknown of God’s will. I am sitting in a hotel in Georgia preparing to go to India. I am here with my team of brand new friends, and we are all getting to know each other before we go out of the country. Most people would think that I am at the “easy” part of the trip. Those people are 100% wrong. This is an incredibly difficult time for me, because I am an introvert. An introvert is someone who is shy, or reticent (reluctant to share thoughts or feelings with others). This describes me fairly well. There are a few exception with people I know extremely well, but I am at a hotel with over one hundred strangers. Saying that this is overwhelming would not do the word justice.
God has given me the gift of reflection and contemplation. The way that I talk to God and worship him is by sitting down, and just observing His creation around me. People are also God’s creation, so I like to observe those around me. It is usually easy to tell who is an introvert and who is an extrovert. The introverts are generally listening to the many stories that the extroverts are telling. I am beginning to realize that I will not be able to be quiet this entire nine months, and that is hard for me to grasp. I know that I am doing what God wants me to, so I know that I’ll be fine.
Just because I know that I will be fine doesn’t make these few days any easier. Since I am introverted, I like being quiet and reserved. Many times, people will assume that this means I am not enjoying myself, or that someone needs to be my friend. Neither of these are the case. I am living in God’s will, so how can I not be at least a little happy? I knew that this trip would not be easy, and so I am ready for whatever comes my way. Whatever just so happens to include all of the extroverts that appear to be drunken Chihuahuas. (That is not an insult, it’s just a funny way to describe someone who is very excited and all over the place)
In short, this is going to be a long nine months. That is not a bad thing. I like to take life slowly and smell the roses along the way. God has given us all different personalities for a reason. We compliment and help each other. God is using this experience to grow me as a person, and become better at being around strangers. It is hard, but it is also worth it. I am interested to see what God has planned for the introverts on this trip. I’m guessing it won’t involve being by ourselves a lot.
“For I know what plans I have in mind for you,’ says Adonai,‘plans for well-being, not for bad things; so that you can have hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29: 11 (CJB)
