I've been thinking about birthdays lately as I’ve entered my birthday month of October. I really love October, don't you? Maybe I am biased, but in the States one can be surrounded by a beautiful autumn - there is something brilliant about the fall-colored leaves cascading into blankets with crisp mornings and the warm glow of sunshine transforming the ice-glazed grasses (but I really don’t like getting my shoes - and feet - wet on those mornings).
Here in South Africa October brings on a
different season – ocean side – the rain clouds are lessening, and the days are
becoming warmer, brighter, and longer (although the winds pick up and can chill
you to the bone). The air holds promise. Well, really, it holds the promise of
summer - my favorite time of year. But I digress…
As I've been thinking about my birthday (and
in denial about my age, past the 3 decade mark - and that's all the
hint you get) I've also been reading about my personality. I LOVE personality
tests! I love figuring out who people are and what makes them tick. And I'd say
I love figuring myself out - but some days I just don't "get" ME.
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| Photo Credit: Superman image via article http://16mbti.blogspot.com/2013/07/superhero-mbti_8.html?m=1 |
I read more on the Myers-Briggs Personality
Types recently, but this one was more awesome because it compared
each personality to a superhero as in the Comic book kind (or if you watch
movies). I love this because I’ve seen how those superheroes’ personalities worked
in their “movie circumstances.” For years I’ve thought I was an ISFJ,
Introvert-Sensing-Feeling-Judging – think Superman (which is pretty cool). Not
to be boxed in, but this time I tested as an INFJ, Introvert-Intuitive-Feeling-Judging,
as in Jean Grey from X-Men (or Beast – it’s a toss up between
self-destructive fury or really furry). If you want to read more about
superhero personalities – yours or mine – go to http://16mbti.blogspot.com/2013/07/superhero-mbti_8.html?m=1.
There is a link to the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator at the bottom of the article,
or go to it here at http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/jtypes2.asp
(or take a similar test at http://www.teamtechnology.co.uk/tt/t-articl/mb-simpl.htm).
I would love to learn about your personality (according to the article “INFJ’s
want to understand other people’s motivations”) so comment on my blog or shoot
me an e-mail, but again don’t box yourself in – we all have
multi-superhero-personality disorder! Just kidding, we are each multi-faceted,
unique, specially and significantly created individuals.
On the personality note, I've met some of
these really awesome, multi-faceted, and unique individuals – with a variety of
personalities. This past year in South Africa I've been
blessed to make beautiful friends - some different and some more similar to me
(many times my close friends are quite the opposite of me in personality – go
figure – with a few overlapping interests). I've been astounded by the staff I have the
opportunity to work with in ministry.
These people are international. These people are national. And local.
From various backgrounds.
All amazingly different and gorgeously unique.
Introverted and Extroverted. Joyful Ones.
Prayer Warriors. Encouragers. Compassion. Passion. Preachers. Teachers. Leaders
and Learners.
Jesus Followers. God Glorifiers.
And as we reach for the
heavens here on earth, the Holy Spirit in us and working through us – God WITH
us –
There are hardships we face.
They take on different forms:
- Disease.
- Death.
- Discouragement.
- Defeat.
- Lack of food, housing…
- Even the worry of "Will the resources
come so that I can feed my family, or even me… tonight? Tomorrow?"
- "Will I have a job next week? Or in a
month?"
And I am not just saying these things
because they just occurred to me. But… but I come face to face with these
Faces. (If we stop for a second and dare to un-guard our hearts, can't we all
see the Faces?)
What I want to say is this – Four Things:
1. I am THANKFUL for TOGETHERNESS. That
we can all work together. Minister together. Meet together. That it doesn't matter
the country, continent, ethnicity, social background we come from, or the
variety of personalities - and although there is sin in the world and there is
the guarantee we will bump heads, God created people to BE and DO together.
2. I am THANKFUL for MY PERSONALITY. I
have fits of not understanding myself and my character which is continually in
the process of needed transforming, but I am reminded how much I love small
groups and one-on-one time with people (and small doses of large crowds!).
Being there WITH them. Listening. Learning Deeply Who They Are. Empathizing.
And Interceding. (And laughing - yes, the privileged few get to meet my goofy
side.)
3. I am THANKFUL for the UNIQUENESS of EACH
PERSON and the VARIANCES of PERSONALITY. We are glaringly different. We
have our garbage and struggles. And Yet, God did not dis-choose us because of
this (we have to deal with it and journey through it). I may be struggling
right now. You may be struggling. But God has specially created each person
with a unique personality and wonderful talents. To care for the earth – His
whole Creation and People. And to glorify Him through this.
4. And finally - not last or least - but
essentially, please pray. Yes, I may have mountain-highs and valley-lows, and
I am so thankful for your prayers for me. But right now I ask you to PRAY FOR THOSE
AROUND ME who I minister with, who I minister to, even those who I
don't know (because God can call a stranger to pray for the stranger). I
see grief. I see talents. I see people needing Strength. Needing Peace. Needing
- not the wind or the storm - but the gentle whisper… The
still, small voice. The arms to hold and comfort. The door to
open. The finances to pour. The worries and fear to be replaced by courage. And
God's reality - God WITH us - to be truly known.
What personality are you?
Can this be helpful in understanding more of yourself
and your journey?
Can this be helpful in understanding more of others?
Thanks for reading and for your comments and prayers.
Blessings,
Shannon
(For further reading, see Gen. 1, 1 Kings 19, Isaiah
7-8, Matt.1, Eph. 2-4)
