Hi Michael. I’m seeing this more and more. People who would never befriend others outside of their social groups, do it at church. It’s one way Church builds bridges in the community.
Yes, yes, yes! This is so good. All followers of Christ need to hear this. I especially agree with your statement, "Sometimes belonging is 3 or 4 people, not a whole room." This is so true, and I'm sure my fellow introverts out there will back me up on that. :)
Chris, this really resonated with me. That feeling of being “in between” spaces, not fully fitting anywhere, is something I’ve experienced more times than I can count. What really stood out to me was the shift from seeing that as something wrong to seeing it as something purposeful. I also loved what you said about belonging not requiring us to pretend. It’s so easy to subtly adjust ourselves depending on the room we’re in, but that kind of “belonging” is exhausting and never quite satisfies.
Thank you for writing this. It felt both honest and encouraging, and it reminded me that being different doesn’t mean we don’t belong, it might actually mean we belong to Him first.
You are so welcome, Ally. I’m with you on the subtly adjusting. I have to remind myself to stop doing that and just be me. Thankfully a perk of getting older is caring less and less about what people think.
Your post resonates deeply with me. Thank you for sharing a Kingdom perspective that helps me understand why I feel this way and how God may be using me.
Thank you for this! A very familiar feeling my whole life, and it can be partly attributed to being an introvert, but I have to watch that I don't become cynical. The only answer I've got is to return to the hope of Christ and the gospel.
Thank you so much, Chris. Your words should be required reading for all Christian’s followers. Our noisy, entertainment, fear driven culture implies we should be onstage celebrities if we would just ‘grow up’. The temptation to compare ourselves to cultural standards distracts us from the quiet reassuring presence of our Triune God.
This article hit me like a ton of bricks. I could relate to it in so many ways. I'm in recovery/sobriety from co-occurring disorders (mental health challenges and substance use disorders - and some more which I won't name.) On April 17th, 2026, I'll be celebrating 14 years of being clean and sober. I'm not proud of that accomplishment, but I'm a member of that group. That, and in church, I feel that I'm a part of that group, even though I may not fit in in every way that is possible.
Here's a wild thought for you, I thought I had before I got to the part of your essay where you mentioned those men in the Bible. Everyone you mentioned was a profit with the exception of Paul who wasn't apostle. I say this to share this thought I had while reading the early part of your essay - the people who usually don't fit in are often times wired to be prophets. They were never meant to fit in. Well I don't know how wild of a thought that was but now I've said it.
You too?? Wow, did this bless me, thank you. Literally just spent an hour talking about this after a day where I felt “weird and different” but also like the Lord was pleased with me and working in and through me in the specific social context. Thanks again for writing and sharing this.
I like the way you defined "church" as a "place where people who would never have fit together anywhere else become family because of Jesus."
Hi Michael. I’m seeing this more and more. People who would never befriend others outside of their social groups, do it at church. It’s one way Church builds bridges in the community.
I like that, too.
Yes, yes, yes! This is so good. All followers of Christ need to hear this. I especially agree with your statement, "Sometimes belonging is 3 or 4 people, not a whole room." This is so true, and I'm sure my fellow introverts out there will back me up on that. :)
🙌🏻 Totally get that. I remember posting a while back that introverts need an extraverted friend to adopt them.
💯🙏🙏
Chris, this really resonated with me. That feeling of being “in between” spaces, not fully fitting anywhere, is something I’ve experienced more times than I can count. What really stood out to me was the shift from seeing that as something wrong to seeing it as something purposeful. I also loved what you said about belonging not requiring us to pretend. It’s so easy to subtly adjust ourselves depending on the room we’re in, but that kind of “belonging” is exhausting and never quite satisfies.
Thank you for writing this. It felt both honest and encouraging, and it reminded me that being different doesn’t mean we don’t belong, it might actually mean we belong to Him first.
You are so welcome, Ally. I’m with you on the subtly adjusting. I have to remind myself to stop doing that and just be me. Thankfully a perk of getting older is caring less and less about what people think.
Your post resonates deeply with me. Thank you for sharing a Kingdom perspective that helps me understand why I feel this way and how God may be using me.
This world is not our home. Great post btw!
Thank you for this! A very familiar feeling my whole life, and it can be partly attributed to being an introvert, but I have to watch that I don't become cynical. The only answer I've got is to return to the hope of Christ and the gospel.
Thank you so much, Chris. Your words should be required reading for all Christian’s followers. Our noisy, entertainment, fear driven culture implies we should be onstage celebrities if we would just ‘grow up’. The temptation to compare ourselves to cultural standards distracts us from the quiet reassuring presence of our Triune God.
This is really good, thank you.
Amen amen amen
This article hit me like a ton of bricks. I could relate to it in so many ways. I'm in recovery/sobriety from co-occurring disorders (mental health challenges and substance use disorders - and some more which I won't name.) On April 17th, 2026, I'll be celebrating 14 years of being clean and sober. I'm not proud of that accomplishment, but I'm a member of that group. That, and in church, I feel that I'm a part of that group, even though I may not fit in in every way that is possible.
well said my brother!
Thanks for this Chris. I definitely don't fit in many circles. But I'm trying to discern who my people are and the environment I thrive in.
Thank you for helping me to self reflect (not one of my gifts). Enlightening and encouraging!
Here's a wild thought for you, I thought I had before I got to the part of your essay where you mentioned those men in the Bible. Everyone you mentioned was a profit with the exception of Paul who wasn't apostle. I say this to share this thought I had while reading the early part of your essay - the people who usually don't fit in are often times wired to be prophets. They were never meant to fit in. Well I don't know how wild of a thought that was but now I've said it.
You too?? Wow, did this bless me, thank you. Literally just spent an hour talking about this after a day where I felt “weird and different” but also like the Lord was pleased with me and working in and through me in the specific social context. Thanks again for writing and sharing this.
Amen! There's certainly room for everyone in The Kingdom.