Because surely biblical community and coffee go hand-in-hand.
For instance, remember the eavesdropping that took place in a North Carolina cafe last October? (If not, you can read about it here.) My being tucked away in a dark corner of a coffee shop isn’t unusual, but my willingness to interrupt the conversation of two young women I’d never met? Highly unlikely.
If you know me or have followed my writing for two minutes, you know I’m an introvert to the core. I love people but quickly crumble inside without ample space to breathe. Tapping keys, not stranger’s shoulders, is more my style.
But God.
Two words that weigh as heavy as the world He came to save.
Who needs Once Upon a Time when But God starts the story of every believer?
My story began three decades ago, but God used two young strangers as a catalyst to reboot my sluggish spirit.
“God wired us for biblical community. Yes, even us introverts. Since moving to the country, I’ve sensed a tug to be involved with women at a nearby campus. I don’t know one woman yet, but God does and I look forward to seeing what He will do. Want to join me in praying for God’s lead on that particular adventure? (I’d love to pray for yours too!))” – from my post, The Day Eavesdropping Inspired This Titus 2 Woman to Tears
I touch on the answer to this prayer in a follow-up post, The Night This Titus 2 Woman Hosted a Tea Party. Biblical community involves more than simply gathering together, but spending time with our small group women, getting to know them, and allowing them to get to know me feels like a healthy first step for this late-blooming introvert.
In fact, after I type this post, the list-making begins in preparation for our church’s women’s retreat this weekend. And this might be a good time to define the word journey, as used in the title of this post.
Journey: a passage or progress from one stage to another (dictionary.com)
Staying home, drinking coffee from my afternoon mug (yes, that exists), writing, playing with my grandkids, organizing organizational books currently stuffed in a cluttered closet⏤these are comfortable places for me. Traveling, sharing a room with even the best of choices (and she is!), being with truly wonderful people 24/7, and all that goes with this is not comfortable for me.
But God is doing a new thing, I perceive it.
He is making a way through my comfort zone, providing refreshment in a place that’s long felt deserted.
I have a long way to go on this journey with much to learn, but God is helping me progress from one stage to another. He’s not asking me to become someone I’m not. Instead, He’s empowering me to become someone I could not possibly be without Him.
Yes, the enemy whispers there’s too big of an age gap for connections to be made this weekend, but a young woman once told me that Titus 2 women are needed — and we Titus 2 women need them too. So I prepare with an excitement that’s surely not natural.
And to think it all began in the corner of a crowded, dimly-lit coffee shop.
“Practice of true community involves responsibilities and actions that do not come naturally to us.” – True Community: The Biblical Practice of Koinonia
In keeping with the definition of a journey, where would you say you are in relation to pursuing biblical community?
a. sipping lavender lattes in the cafe corner? (pre-clueful)
b. receiving words from strangers that could be a “direct message” from God? (open to receiving)
c. feeling oddly awkward that God might be up to something you didn’t expect? (contemplating)
d. taking steps to put yourself in the path of biblical community? (still clueless but desiring to become more like Christ to the point of obedience?)
e. signing up for a women’s retreat or other gatherings that are not normal for you? (becoming a comfort-zone crusher!)
f. fully integrated into biblical community (refusing to allow natural tendencies to overrule God’s supernatural power, putting the gospel on display in beautiful and unexpected ways.)
I’d love to know! Share in the comment section and you might just win your own eavesdropping session at Starbucks. {Told you I had a long way to go!}
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Great post.IT’s very hard to step out of our comfort zone sometimes. Good luck. Have a great retreat.
It sure is, Jann! Thanks so much. 🙂
Cathy,
You must have come a long way from being an introvert…I can’t picture you like that! You always seem to draw people to you with your warm personality and sweet smile. i surely have a ways to go in that area. Thanks for sharing this post, so encouraging. Oh, I think I’m around c or d : )
Ha! I think most introverts love people and genuinely care about them. I know I do. We just need sufficient breaks in-between. 🙂 Rest assured, you’re not the only one who has a ways to go. At least we know how to pray for each other! Thanks so much for stopping by Cynthia. Blessings…
Can there be “Titus 2 men”? I know your feelings oh too well Ms. Cathy. Right now, in my journey of faith, I’m a “middle D.” I’ll do things God urges me to do, but when I’m done, I pull my “turtle move” and go crawl into my “Shell of Solitude” for a few hours. I learned a new term this morning. Ambivert (a cross-over, if you will, between Introverts and Extroverts). While I don’t think God made me to be an extrovert; I’m far too introverted for that, He has helped me to be more willing to act upon His urging with people, especially strangers. As you stated so very well ma’am, “But God.” Where He takes us on our respective journeys is part of the adventure of life isn’t it? God’s blessings ma’am.
Absolutely, J.D. 🙂 Paul and Timothy are a great example. Oh, I’ve have heard of Ambiverts – I think my hubby might be one! But you make a great point. It doesn’t really matter what type of “vert” we are when all is said and done. What matters is a willingness to step out of whatever comfort zone we’re in and act upon His urging.
Thanks again for sending the picture of your apple gift. I’m glad you enjoy the monthly letter. 🙂 Blessings!!!
Hi Cathy,
I’m some sort of combination of b & c. Thanks for a great post!
Blessings,
Laurie Epps
I look forward to seeing how God will lead, Laurie. 🙂 Thanks for taking the time to stop by and share.
This: “He is making a way through my comfort zone, providing refreshment in a place that’s long felt deserted.”
So enjoyed this, Cathy!
I’m so glad, Tammy. Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts. Susan Shipe mentioned today that the three of us need to get together when she’s in town. I’d forgotten how close we live to each other. Blessings!!
I so identify with your struggle, BUT GOD. Great post, packed with encouragement as always
Thanks for sharing, Edie. 🙂 I’m glad we’re on this journey together. Love ya!
I love being a Titus 2 woman. I am an extrovert. Being alone with no one to talk to makes me depressed. I love to teach and talk to other women. But, for me, sometimes God says “no” to all of that. That’s hard. When he told me to sit for days on end writing a book that no one may ever read or care about….I wanted to say NO. I said yes. He “rewarded” me with conferences and new friends. 🙂 I can’t really complain.
Thanks for letting me into your world.
I love your perspective, Stephanie. It’s interesting how there are challenges for either “vert”. I look forward to reading your book! Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by and share. Blessings!
Thanks Cathy. As an introvert I resonated with your words that “God isn’t asking me to be someone I’m not, but empowering me to become someone I could not be without Him.” That process of equipping can be uncomfortable, but the other side of it is empowering. Always good words fro you! Blessings!
You’re so right, Marilyn. The process is not a comfortable one, but it is necessary. I’m thankful it’s not up to us, but the One in us. Miss you! Hope to see you at the October meeting. 🙂
I can’t believe it’s been a whole year since you wrote about eavesdropping in that coffee shop. :-O Remarkable. And since I don’t drink coffee and therefore know very little about it, I’m not sure where I fit on your progress scale. I think I fall in the d. category except I’m not clueless … just not quite up to crushing any comfort zones or brave enough to say I’m fully integrated. Perhaps “determinedly on my way” is appropriate. 😀
“Determinedly on my way” sounds like the best kind of progress possible. 🙂 I didn’t know you weren’t a fan of coffee. We’ll have to do tea instead one day soon. Thanks for taking the time to share, Sandra!
Good morning Cathy, I can relate to so many things here. Belonging to a biblical community was a hard journey as I delved in to heal from my past. I think now I embrace it, as long as I can have breaks, time to retreat on my own at the larger gatherings. What is so beautiful about God and the way He weaves us together … it has nothing to do with age and everything to do with Him. May He doubly bless all women hearts at this gathering of His daughters. In Christ, Julie
That’s an important point, Julie, and something I’ve been processing for a while. Introverts can (of course) embrace biblical community. But doing what we need to do — like taking breaks — energizes and refreshes, helping us to be fully engaged when needed. And I couldn’t agree more – the blood of Christ that binds all sisters together knows no age barriers. Praise God! Thanks so much for sharing.
P.S. I love your new pic! 🙂
Do you know, I’ve been in all of those places? But right now, I am back to a. Quietly sipping a lavender latte in the corner, waiting for a clue. I know God has a clue. I just am clueless right now. Thanks for sharing with us!
Thank you for sharing, Angie. God does have a clue, and so do you, sweet friend. You know Who holds the answers, and how He longs to share them with an open heart like yours. Blessings!
I know I found a kindred spirit when I sense the compulsion to reach out and grab your hand! Sometimes it’s as though we are trekking side-by-side. Sweet story, gentle flow, and full of praise to our Father. Yeah. “But God.” Amen. I hate to seem indecisive, but I am in one of those seasons when c-f apply. In some ways, d-f occurred over the past few months. Right now, I am firmly feeling (c)ontemplative; as though a new level or different season is around the bend. Thank you for allowing God to speak through you 🙂
We are trekking side-by-side, Charla. 🙂 I like that you mention seasons because I do believe there are times when responsibilities shift. It always comes back to the heart, doesn’t it? (I look forward to you trekking down the mountain to hang out with me in the tiny house!) Thank you for taking time to share and encourage, as you always do. To God be the glory!
Where am I in my journey? I’m at all stages at various times, and there’s simply no rhyme nor reason to which stage when! Some days — goodness, some moments — I’m hunkering down with my journal nd favorite pen in Starbucks, surreptitiously watching the interaction of those around me. Next thing I know, I’m attending a new-to-me Bible study where I know not a single soul and I end up being the only single AND I participate! And other moments I could be anywhere between those two. Before conferences, I make the determination to make new acquaintances, really interact with others, but I end up spending much of my time observing others wh are doing just that. It helps if someone reaches out first, like rescuing me from accidental rule-breaking and subsequent embarrassing censure
I really needed to proofread that better.
No worries! Your heart was shared and that’s what matters most. 🙂 Thank you!
We’re definitely on this journey together. Your posts always make me smile. Introverts at heart. Sticking our heads out of the box every day ~ even if by heavenly prodding. And yes, I relate to all of the above. It’s a struggle. Thankful God is faithful. He is worthy of my discomfort. All we have to do is believe in his promises and call on our lives. Thanks for sharing. Love you, friend!
“He is worthy of my discomfort.” I believe this one line sums it up beautifully. Thankful I have you to share this journey with, Joann. 🙂