MLK and Rosa Parks: Perspective in Personality

Last year was such a time of growth for me! I’ve been discovering who I am and how God created me. A big part of this was figuring out my personality and learning to accept myself as an introvert. I started reading this book called “Quiet…In A World That Can’t Stop Talking.” It just talks about introverts today in a world where extroversion is the standard. One of the first stories is talks about is the relationship of Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks. MLK was clearly a leader, outspoken, and a world changer. Rosa Parks was also a leader and a world changer, but the way she went about it was different because of her personality. She took a quiet stand ,refusing to move on that bus. The power of that ACTION is what started a movement; not the words she used. It’s the inspiring speeches of King Jr. and the actions of Parks that moved a nation. Together, their opposite personalities were more powerful than both of them being loud leaders. I’m so encouraged by this story. At times I feel like my personality isn’t as great because I’m not outspoken and loud. Especially as a leader of high school students, I don’t stand out as much; I’m not the crazy leader dancing around and up on stage. Conversations and one-on-ones I can have with students are gold to me. I’ll be the first to say being an introvert in an extroverted world is not easy. It takes more effort to put myself out there for job interviews and not feel bad “promoting” myself. It takes more effort to reach out to people and be social all the time, when I’m content being alone most times. It’s not that I’m anti-social. Not at all. In fact, during this “blizzard” we had last week, I was going crazy being alone! It’s just that being social takes energy from me and I need those alone times to recharge. I love that God made such opposite personalities and knew that both would be needed just as equally. If the listeners and thinkers weren’t there to brainstorm and create new ideas, businesses wouldn’t thrive. And if the outspoken leaders weren’t there to speak for the thinkers, their ideas might never be put into action. We need each other. I don’t know why sometimes we think we can do this alone. We can’t. We need community. We need family. We need Christ…leading us, growing us, walking with us. As I look ahead to the next few months, I’m so excited! God used that rough spot in my life to break me down, grow me, and bring me closer to Him. And now I can move forward. Can’t wait for this next chapter and see how God wants to work!