Making the Plunge to Swim with the Sharks
Okay – that title is misleading. I would never make that plunge, but I did make the plunge to get out of my comfort zone to mingle with others, talk to others and find great new friends.
I know it’s hard to believe, but I was a shy, timid introvert as I grew up. I avoided crowds, parties, and situations where I would have to interact with others. The cool kids were, well, cool, and I was not. Never would I walk up to a “click” group of girls. Maybe they wouldn’t have kicked me out, but that’s what I feared. Obbviously, I wasn’t voted “Most Popular”. I know it’s even harder to believe that, I am still not, by my nature, outgoing. I literally force myself to walk up to people and create conversation. I realized, long ago, that if I remained in that mindset, I would never have friends. “If you want friends, you must show yourself friendly.” Proverbs 18:24
Being in this new place I call home – I had a choice. I could seclude to my apartment. Quite frankly I’d be okay with that. God and I make a great team. We hang out together all that time and we’re quite comfortable together. But, that’s not how He planned it for me OR you. How can we love our neighbors as ourselves if we can’t get beyond ourselves?
Max Lucado says: “You aren’t stuck with today’s personality. You are tweak-able! Where did we get the idea we can’t change? Where do statements come from such as “It’s just my nature to worry,” or….”I’ll always be pessimistic. I’m just that way.” Or, “I have a bad temper. I can’t help the way I react.” Who says? Would we say, “It’s just my nature to have a broken leg. I can’t do anything about it.” Of course not. If our body malfunctions, we seek help. Shouldn’t we do the same with our hearts? Can’t we seek aid for our sour attitudes? Of course, we can. Jesus can change our hearts! He wants us to have a heart like His!”
To have a heart like His we must be willing to become all He destined us to be – to do – to have. I add to Max’s words, if I desire to be that outgoing, optimistic, cheerful personality that others want to hang with, then, I must move out of my comfort zone, and be the gal that I want to hang with. When I’m that gal — others will be drawn to me, and I will be drawn to those who need me, and I need them.
And speaking of tweak-able, I’m so tweakable that I stepped up and offered to set up a private Facebook group for our residents. Talk about a way to get to know people. And, yep! It was out of my comfort zone to offer, but when I did, I was applauded. Sure felt good. I’m also so tweakable I’ll go sit by someone who is all by themself. I know them. I was them. I ask about them, their family, their likes, their faith. Oh, yes, I do take the plunge into the deep waters of faith. And, I talk about my relationship (not religion) with Jesus Christ. In fact, I even invite them to go to church with me. How could I be loving them as Christ loved us enough to die for us, if I don’t introduce them to Him? This feat would have never been possible if I had stayed in a mindset “I’ll never change!” Change is possible — and when we are willing to change — the doors to new friendships, new opportunities, new reasons for living life with no regrets – and we become all God destined for us to be. Go ahead and take the plunge! You’ll find the water is just right for change!