At The Bottom, When Everyone Else Left: There Was One.


Photo & Art by Chris Wright


I was there at the bottom when everyone else left, and He was the only one there.
When they say rock bottom,
you find He’s the stone under your feet,
the dry ground in shaky seas,
the grace that does not leave.
When my mind wanders, my heart remembers the rock.

— J.S.


Published by JS Park

J.S. Park is a hospital chaplain, published author, and online educator. He is a sixth degree black belt, ex-atheist, and featured on CNN and TODAY Show.

7 thoughts on “At The Bottom, When Everyone Else Left: There Was One.”

  2. J.S Pastor, can you give us some tips on how introverts can learn how to grow and blossom in being involved in ministry ? How to set healthy boundaries with people when we passionately Care about them ?

    p.s honestly for so many years, I’ve wanted to become a carefree, sociable, people-loving, confident EXTROVERT…

    Can you give us some tips on that ? You said you’re an intense introvert and you’re an AMAZING MOST HONEST and Confident blogger/ pastor I’ve ever met.

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    1. Hey dear friend, please allow me the grace to share some previous posts with you. Hopefully they can be a starting place to gather some thoughts before moving forward:

      – The Totally Awkward Bible Study: And Four Ways To Push Forward
      https://jsparkblog.com/2013/02/13/the-totally-awkward-bible-study-and-four-ways-to-push-forward/

      – Insecure Introverts Finding Confidence and Calling
      https://jsparkblog.com/2013/12/16/question-insecure-introverts-finding-confidence-and-calling/

      – An Introvert Expected To Be Extroverted
      https://jsparkblog.com/2014/04/23/an-introvert-expected-to-be-extroverted/

      This is a pretty tough balance. I think some introverts use “introversion” as a loophole to escape the hard work of intimacy, and if that’s the case, it’s dead wrong. On the other hand, there are many “true introverts” who have trouble coping with larger crowds and the invasive approach of small groups and church circles. I really think the first step (and the biggest) is awareness.

      I also don’t think extroverts are the enemy. To set up such a dichotomy is unnecessary and unfair. It’s often extroverts who helped draw me out of my shell; it’s often extroverts who will see the bigger picture. It’s important to know where both our strengths and weaknesses are and then work together. We each cannot do everything on our own; no man is an island unto himself. The best thing is not to pit such personalities against each other, but find the best synergy possible. It sounds like a pat answer, but it’s tough (and worth it) to put it into motion.

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  3. How to ”use” introversion to benefit the church community ? maybe it sounds weird, but I honestly think the churches esp. in North America are not particularly introverts-friendly—–there are so many extroverted-social-expectations that one has to ”fulfill” in order to be accepted and understood at church. ( There’re so many introverted friends that I know are really reluctant to join a local church, though they want to and think they need to get connected to a church for spiritual growth , they are intimidated by the extroverted atmosphere and all the social-expectations they need to keep up with…)

    Some really introverted believers even think the fellowship and small groups meetings are like social clubs, there’s simply no in-depth-spiritual connections within the group or fellowship, so gradually they feel like they’re still spiritually dry and it’s a waste of time, they feel discouraged and disappointed and leave the church ultimately. : (

    Do you think it’s their introverted-tendencies’ s fault or the church needs to learn how to cater introverted needs as well ?
    As an introvert myself, I personally don’t think introversion is a character flaw but most of my extroverted colleagues don’t seem to get it. —> Some people complained about why do I always have to keep my office door shut most of the time and why I don’t seem to be interested in joining their ”happy-hours” after work. : ( sigh…

    p.s I work for a Christian Organization, most of my colleagues are believers. So what they say, I do really value even though it hurts sometimes …

    Christy

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