During his life on Earth, Jesus was an introvert.

I don’t have any concrete proof to back up my claim. However, I’ve read enough courtroom mysteries (and played enough Ace Attorney games) to know that evidence is everything in a court of law (or a blog of typewriter monkeys).

Unlike extroverts, who enjoy being with people and dislike being alone, an introvert is a person who prefers solitary activities over social ones. Introversion shouldn’t be confused with shyness: an introvert prefers being alone, whereas a shy person avoids social events out of fear.

Now for the evidence!

The Lord Jesus often withdrew to solitary places. Mark informs us, “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (1:35). Matthew points out that the Lord’s response to the death of his cousin John was to get away from people: “When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place” (14:13). Luke confirms that Jesus went off alone early in the morning (4:42).

Introverts are sometimes viewed with suspicion, as though their love of solitude were a deficiency that requires a cure. That’s nonsense. Personally, I think introverts are awesome.

Granted, I’m sort of biased.

As an introvert, I find the passages describing the Lord’s preference for solitude encouraging. If Jesus Christ could get away with being introverted, then so can I!

I think both introverts and extroverts can learn something from Jesus.

Extroverts must try to be sensitive toward introverts. For example, introverts sometimes turn down invitations or leave social events early: not to offend anyone, but simply because they feel overwhelmed.

Introverts mustn’t use their liking of solitude as an excuse for being lazy or avoiding people. The Lord Jesus may have been an introvert, but he spent countless hours teaching, preaching, healing the sick and comforting the discouraged. For every hour he spent alone, he spent many more helping people. Introversion mustn’t become a license for selfishness.

Now I’ll withdraw to a solitary place to enjoy a solitary activity.

To wit, I’m off to my bedroom to drink some coffee.