The Images of GodSýnishorn

CROWDERS AND LONERS

Another area in which opposites often attract is whether partners enjoy the company of other people outside of their relationship. While one spouse makes new friends everywhere they go, the other one dreads even the inevitable human interaction at work and community events.

I imagine King Solomon to be a “crowder” who loved having other people around him. And by other people, I mean lots of other people. His household needed 6600 liters of flour, 13200 liters of meal, 10 fattened oxen, 20 pasture-fed cattle, 100 sheep or goats plus poultry and game per day (1 Kings 4:22-23). Every day?! I immediately go straight into a panic attack when I think of hosting a party like that every day. People came to visit King Solomon from all over the world (v. 34). And he represented God’s image by displaying His wisdom at these events. “People from every nation came to consult Him and to hear the wisdom God had given Him” (1 Kings 10:24, NLT).

It seems like King Solomon’s extroverted tendencies were not inherited from his father though. King David’s fortress house could only be accessed by crossing a water tunnel first (2 Samuel 5). And when forced to be away from home, we often find David hiding away in a cave or a field by himself (2 Samuel 23; 1 Samuel 22). David felt most at peace when he could spend time with his Creator. “The Lord is my shepherd, I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams” (Psalms 23:1-2, NLT). God’s image was revealed magnificently through the beautiful psalms and poems that David wrote during these times of solitude.

During Jesus’ life on earth, we find Him equally at home between the crowds and on His own. Jesus did not hide away when people needed Him. “Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and He had compassion on them and healed their sick” (Matthew 14:14, NLT). But He also did not get so caught up in other people that He could not spend time alone with His Father. “One day soon afterward Jesus went up on a mountain to pray, and He prayed to God all night” (Luke 6:12, NLT).

Do you sometimes feel frustrated by the social responsibilities that your spouse initiates? Or do you feel isolated when your spouse struggles with social interaction?

Let us acknowledge the way God’s image is reflected through our spouse. Let us learn how to bring greater glory to God by celebrating our differences in marriage. “And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful” (Colossians 3:15, NLT).