“We must push beyond what is comfortable if we want to grow.” Susie Larson
They tell me it isn’t normal to be able to rattle off 30 or 40 people’s names I’ve been actively reaching out to on any given week. Camp kids I write letters to. Elderly people whose houses I clean, who I love on in a myriad of ways. Peers I email and call regularly. Everywhere, anywhere I run into a human being – that person becomes someone to care for and love.
Meet the former Elizabeth Skiles, the never-stopping, always pouring out caregiver. When God called me from a Kansas farm to Bible college, I especially felt like I was in heaven. Students and teachers all around me, who I could give, give, give to, every day.
When I took the Myers-Briggs personality test about 10 years ago, my results showed that I was 100% extroverted (by the way, if you haven’t taken it, you should). One hundred percent. My life literally revolved around other people. I loved it that way.
However, when you say, “God, do whatever you want with me and my life,” you may be surprised at what he starts to take away, and what he shows you about who you really are.
God began to teach me that by constantly pouring out, I was actually seeking for other’s approval and affection. Was it wrong to give, and love, and to be busy serving others with my time? No. But my motives to love others were completely intertwined with seeking love for myself.
So when I surrendered my love for people to God, he revealed just how deeply he loves and accepts me, no matter what I do. And he began to call me to be quiet and alone with him, and serve in uncomfortable ways that didn’t look like my definition of serving at all.
For example, I’m in my third pregnancy right now and I’ve discovered that there are seasons where physically growing a new life is my only service to God, because I’m too sick to do anything else. Motherhood in itself means your sphere of influence can go from wide to narrow very quickly as you focus on your children.
Or there can be lonely seasons of life, where you feel lost and disconnected from others. Using that time to draw close to God and learn contentment may be your one act of service to God.
Maybe God is calling you to a ministry of prayer in the quiet of your home, where nobody sees and knows how you spend your time. But it is service nonetheless.
I have introverted friends who say that for them, reaching out to say hello to someone, or offer a helping hand, is uncomfortable. To me, not saying “yes” to every possible opportunity to serve, lead, and meet others’ needs stretches me. For every person, “uncomfortable” means something unique.
What makes us uncomfortable is an area God can stretch us. It’s like a muscle that needs conditioning. If we never get off the couch, we’ll never become stronger. I’ve learned that balance in serving God means I trust him when he leads me somewhere new and challenging.
For me, that has looked like letting go of some ministries and being at peace with times of rest. What might it look like for you?
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A book that has been instrumental for me this year is Susie Larson’s Balance that Works when Life Doesn’t. It’s very practical and really goes to the heart of both physical and spiritual balance. Highly recommend it!