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Matthew 28:18-20 – Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (NIV)
Are you an introvert or an extrovert?
I'm not sure about myself. When I read the definition set out in the following paragraph, I first think that I must be an introvert. But when I read on, I conclude that I am an extrovert.
- Typically, introverts tend to enjoy more time to themselves, are very aware of their internal thoughts and recharge more in solitude. Extroverts can be just the opposite. Extroverts are often more outspoken, outgoing, and absolutely love being around other people.
Perhaps, like me, you may conclude that you have elements of both.
As I think back to the time when I grew up with four older brothers and a sister, I can remember elements of both traits in all of them. In my own family, the same is true.
Now, with a larger extended family in the lovely home in which I am privileged to live, I can see both factors in play with so many — sometimes in different ways from time to time even with the same people.
So, I conclude that it may not be possible to give an accurate answer to my opening question. However, it needs to be considered in relationship to today's verse, where Jesus commanded us to go and do, just before He ascended into heaven.
Do you, like me, sometimes feel too introverted to follow Jesus' command? Or, like me, do you feel so extroverted that you might do more harm than good because you are too pushy?
I am convinced that God cannot use you or me if we sit on our backsides and do nothing.
On the other hand, God is an expert at correcting our mistakes if we at least try to help others, try to show His love for one another, and try to do what we can to fulfill His great command.
After more than eight decades of making mistakes, I am living proof that God can correct for them if we at least try.
I can't count the number of times that I have said something or done something that I later regretted. Perhaps, in this digital age, I have sent an e-mail or other electronic communication that would have been better if not sent.
But at least I keep on trying to follow the Great Commission. My personal challenge that I share with you today is at least to keep on trying!
What a wonderful privilege that you and I both have to be part of the God team!
Prayer: Dear Father, it is difficult to comprehend fully why You have chosen to give us the privilege to be fellow workers with Jesus and the Holy Spirit in spreading the good news of the gospel. Help us to be faithful and to keep on trying, even when we make mistakes. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
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Thursday, April 18, 2024 – In East Asia — Pray for more partners who become trainers in our house church planting network in East Asia. We are asking God for around ten of these trainers for each district in our region. May the Lord grant them courage in their next step of faith.
stressful travel ahead: "April 17, 2024: Please pray that our upcoming travel will be okay. A few problems have arisen with..." 
Keep up the good work, Vince.
Thanks again for sharing your devotional with us. Blessings.
Dear Vincent,
Keep it up brother.
I am able to identify with you Vincent!
Blessings.
I love your point Vincent, introvert or extrovert – keep on trying!
Thanks very much for contributing, keep on trying!
Dear Mr. Walter. Your devotion today really hits home. So true. Thank you for giving me something to think about.
Many thanks for your encouraging message in these difficult days! It is a pleasure to rise on this sunny morning and read your words that inspire! Peace.
Thank you for another excellent devotional. I am likely to be too introverted precisely because of this fear of making mistakes. Thank you for reminding me to keep trying.
I think that Oswald Chambers had great insight into how our dispositions are changed by the indwelling of the Spirit of Jesus Christ. The characteristics and personalities we are born with are not necessarily useful to God.
Good morning Vince. Thank you once again for a message that certainly resonates with me.
I always enjoy reading your messages. They certainly make me search within.
Have a blessed day.
Thank you, Vincent for an insightful devotional. I am of the ‘Let go and let God,’ school, which means I stopped trying long ago and simply say that I am a sinner and You, God, are my only salvation and hope, leaving my all in His care. As do you, I am certain.
Good morning,
Some days I feel very introverted and others, extroverted. Thank God we can be used in the Kingdom no matter what we are as long as we try, as you said.
Have a blessed day, and thanks for this devotional.
Dear Vincent,
It was wonderful to hear from you in this devotional! You are an encouragement to others! May God continue to bless you and live through you. I trust that I along with your readers will experience the privilege of being part of “the God team” every day!
Hello Vince,
Thanks for writing and reflecting on being an introvert or extrovert and giving the good advice that we can do God’s work either way. We just must keep trying to follow the great commission as that is what is important.
Blessings for your writings.
Good morning. What a thought-provoking message. I come from a family of 6. I have always said we have 3 introverts and 3 extroverts l am one of the latter but truly there is a side of me that is introverted and perhaps it is so with all of us. The most important part is we all love the Lord and try to live His will. I pray you have a blest day and keep those inspirational devotionals coming.
Good Morning
Thank you for this devotional today. I think I am a little of both also and I too am afraid of being too pushy.
Thanks for the encouragement as we go forward with a new day open to new opportunities.
God bless.
Wonderfully written Mr. Walters!
I can always tell it is you who has written the devotion without scrolling to the end.
You are a great spokesperson on behalf of God. Your words resonate and I feel uplifted by them. I’m not a perfect Christian, but I try to start out each day knowing I have God’s never-ending grace and love!!
Blessings.
What a great devotional! In my mind’s eye I can see God fixing our mistakes leading to two things; we learn where we messed up, and in turn we grow and learn from that, and then we also see how God works and in correcting our mistakes he used it to his own purposes, and we learn about him more which leads to us growing to love him more. It is right what you say, we must keep trying because we would miss out on all that!
Thank you for this reading today.
God bless.
Vincent – I have always gone with the definition that where you get your energy is what dominates your “verted-ness”. According to the definition I am an introvert as I get my energy from solitude and my own company. However, I am a very social introvert as I do enjoy also being around people – just not all the time! I know when I need to squirrel away by myself.
I love your prayer. I also love your reminder that no matter what our personality type, we cannot sit on our backsides and do Christ’s work. God Bless you Vincent and your continued writing to minister to us.
Dear Vince,
Thanks for continuing to encourage those around you through your Devotionals.
You’re right that we often worry so much about the effect our personalities have on those around us that we don’t take the courage to speak up and do. I work in a pretty secular environment where people usually choose to ignore spiritual matters, even though several of us are Christian. Your reflection today spurs me on.
My only disappointment was that when I listened to the podcast it didn’t seem to be your voice reading it. I’d have liked to hear you.
Anyway, thank God that he faithfully sustains us to grow closer to him and bless one another as we do so.
Good morning Vincent,
I worked for a management company for a while, and they tested people on information like this. They used a different definition for determining whether you were an introvert or extrovert and it had to do with how you recharged your batteries. If you spent time alone to get refreshed, you were an introvert and if you got your energy from other people, you were and extrovert. A friend of mine who was an introvert married to an extrovert said she didn’t want to be home alone with her husband because he drained her batteries. Luckily, they had 5 children to take up the slack.
Your message to keep on trying is very important. Each of us has a role to play in God’s bigger scheme but if we never try, we will not be passing along His message. God needs both introverts and extroverts in order to reach everyone out there.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and ideas with all of us. Blessings.
Mr. Walter
I appreciate your devotionals. The latest on introvert/extrovert personalities reminded me of a professional conference my wife and I attended. Attendees had the opportunity to take the Myers Briggs personality assessments that attempted to categorize our “types”. Both my wife and I were identified as INTJs. The “I” indicating introvert. My wife remarked that in the room were folk quietly sitting as well as those boisterous and active. It was clear without testing who were introverts and who were extroverts. We attend a Presbyterian church, and were both raised Pentecostal. Doctrine aside it sure looks to me that many Pentecostals are extroverts and conversely many Presbyterians are introverts. I guess we nest where we are most comfortable.
Thanks again.
Interesting that this devotional has come just now. I have been pestering God about our lack in the church of – whatever you want to call it – evangelism, out-reach, faith sharing, church growth. Our churches have been getting older and smaller for generations now. Why are we so backward about going forward? After much prayer and whining before God, I have realized that I have never been discipled. In fact, after 60 years in the church, I have never seen an effective program, study, initiative, book, or anything else that develops us as Jesus‘ disciples were. They walked with Him, spent time listening, asking questions, hearing answers, seeing, hearing, learning, changing, being transformed. Then He empowered them to go out with a simple message. Who do I know that has done that? Nobody. My little prayer group, 4 of us, have embarked on a quest to be discipled. It has only been a few days and so far, Jesus has worked in each of us to show us our weaknesses and help us overcome them, to be set free from things in the past that have bound us and shown us some pretty amazing things. We are being equipped to do what we have all longed to do and never been able. So I am excited to see where all this leads because it may just transform our churches into mission outposts in our community. My prayer partners are each from a different church! How exciting! God bless you as you continue to serve Him where you are!
Vincent,
Your devotion is very serious, but it made me laugh as when I was young, I would say, “I do really well with the fruits of the Spirit until I’m around people.” Well, of course. There is no one to offend. Thank our precious Lord that we do mature in His ways. I too realize I am both introvert and extrovert. My extrovert shows in my writing and I’m grateful to be able to “edit”.
Thanks, Vince, for these encouraging words, to not give up but to continue to go and spread the gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit. I too can attest to God making right the mistakes I’ve made and also giving me opportunities and the words to say.
As you said, I don’t think we are fully an introvert or an extrovert but somewhere along the spectrum. Before the pandemic I would have said I was an introvert but now I see my need for community.
May God’s blessings be your today!