the Unexpressed Advantage

I have noticed that God tends to speak to me in themes. Maybe He speaks to you that way as well. What I mean is that as he’s trying to teach me to draw into closer relationship with Him and closer relationship with my spiritual siblings, He often speaks to my mind by placing strings of thought in my head that I ponder and attempt to act on (quite conducive to blog writing, coincedentally). Some current themes…

Eye Contact

Anyone who still thinks I’m not an introvert will be sadly proven wrong by the following epiphanies of recent experience. The first came while I was driving home with my friend Alison after a birthday party. Along the way we let out two exuberant sighs in almost perfect unison. Exhausting! However great it is to be around lots of people for an extended period, it can be simply exhausting at times. Must… be alone… must… recharge batteries…

The second revelation came through when my friend Hirut stated that “clearly he’s an introvert, you can tell because he looks away when he talks to you.” Guilty as charged. Since she mentioned that, I’ve noticed I have a strong tendency to look off into the distance when chatting with people. I’m looking for an escape, you see. I don’t really want to escape though; it’s just an instinctive defense mechanism. But it’s not an instinct that’s good for a pastor, and it’s not a good way to participate in the body of Christ. So I’ve been working hard to stick it out in conversation and really look people in the eye.

Social Anxiety

I’m sure I don’t have social anxiety disorder, but I certainly do feel a bit of social anxiety every now and then. Many of us do. It’s that moment when you’re in a crowded room, you see some people you want to talk with, and everything in you is SCREAMING to get out and somewhere else. I experienced this in a huge way at the recent regent retreat. I left more than one event, sometimes leaving twice, only to return and force myself to sit down and be with people. That’s the secret, according to my roommate Joash, you simply have to take the instinct to flee captive and trust that if you go there, people will be glad to talk with you. And you know what? Surprise. They always do. Every time I went back at the retreat I was greatly blessed with good conversation and fellowship. I know it’s hard to believe, but people really do want to talk to Dan Ray.

Articulation

I led worship at church today. As the worship leaders at University Chapel have continued to meet and discuss how to communicate in the service, articulation is a constant and key theme. We must take our role seriously. We must know what we’re going to say. Write it down. Say it clearly. Don’t mumble. Speak concisely. Don’t ad-lib. It’s true that I sometimes feel dumb raising my arms to either side and speaking a benediction from 2 Corinthians, but it’s essential to speak that way with purpose. If one does, then the people listening are blessed because of it. They will pay attention; they will HEAR you and ponder what you say. And they won’t think you are dumb. Communication necessitates careful articulation, and we are all better for it, especially when communicating the gospel.

Journal

One of the beautiful things about the blog that I’ve noticed is that is forces me to journal, to really journal well. As I read my previous journals of years past, I find that I tended to write quite a bit about girls. I also write a lot about what’s bothering me. All that’s well and good, but it is incomplete. Obviously I’m not going to write a lot on a blog about girls, lest you all vomit. And I’m not going to write a lot of negative things lest you stop liking me. So the blog has brought me to a place where I can engage in a truly rich and lasting journal experience, something that I think is crucial for all believers. Good journals will stand the test of time, and as we go back to them, we can truly know ourselves better.

All of these themes point me to a bigger theme – community. Know oneself, engage others, keep good eye contact, and articulate well. These pillars help me and I know they can help you as you embrace a rich, vibrant, lasting and fellowshipping community life. May God bless you in that endeavor, as he has blessed me also.

Grace to you, – dan. (760 words, see how hard I’m trying?)