Devotion: Families Together - Innies and Outies

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Are you an Innie or an Outie?

No, I’m not talking about your belly button. Do you tend to be an Introvert (Innie) or an Outie (Extrovert)? No person is all one or the other, but many of us lean mostly in one direction. Extroverts tend to get their energy from being with people, while introverts tend to get their energy from being alone. Yesterday a friend of mine posted a picture of a t-shirt with this saying on her Facebook wall: “Introverts Unite: We’re here. We’re uncomfortable, and we want to go home.” (My friend is actually my DCE from when I was a teen. Now I’m a mom with teens of my own, and my DCE and I are still good friends. How cool is that?!)

Think of the members of your immediate family. Are some introverts and some extroverts? God generally has a great sense of humor when it comes to how He puts families together, and we are often a mixed bag of Introverts, Extroverts and a few people who land in the middle.

Sometimes this works out really well. We can balance each other and make a great team.

Sometimes this isn’t so great – we drive each other absolutely bonkers.

Whether you are an Innie or an Outie, there is one way we are all the same. We are all born sinful and in need of a Savior. Thanks to God for Jesus, who died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sin, so we have eternal life with God!

In 2 Corinthians 5:17, we learn we are a new creation because of Christ. Sometimes our society tends to value one type of person more than another. Extroverts may be valued as more popular since they can “work a room” at a party and get to know a lot of people, or stand up and give a great speech. Teachers sometimes favor introverts who sit quietly and get all their work done without disrupting the class.

God loves us exactly as He created us to be – In and Out. The new creation He is molding us to be is a person who is growing to be more like Him, as we love and serve him with the Holy Spirit living inside our hearts.

Consider the members of your family. Are they Innies or Outies? How can you show respect for each person in your family today?

Lord, give me your loving heart for people in my family. Help me serve them with your love. Amen.

Published November 5, 2014

2 Corinthians 5

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