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Today I got caught up on reading some blogs. I know, not something I should be concerned about on my birthday, but it’s been overdue and since today is supposed to be my day, it’s all good Anyway, over at Brian Reyes-Chow’s blog I saw a personality profile and figured I’d give it a try. It seems everytime I do one of these things the results are always the same. After answering a bunch of questions I am determined to be a leader, visionary, director, influencer, forward-thinker, etc. It was so consistent that I stopped doing these about a year ago.

Today was a different story. Honestly, I have to say I was pretty stunned. Here is what came back on this personality test:

How the heck could I test like an engineer or intellectual. I am so the opposite of this! Or am I? I believe this confirms my current state of mind and why it isn’t the best time to be moving full speed ahead with the church plant. maybe the test results are reflecting the fact that I have a lot on my mind and that I am in prayer and seeking confirmations and direction from God and that I won’t forward without them. However, just maybe, this really is a true reflection of who I am and not how I am being as of today.

Being analytical or intellectual like an engineer may be fine traits to have, and at times I know I can work within these parameters, but for a church plant it can be death in my spirit. I have been against the analytical, intellectual approach to church planting. Even the name evokes some controversy on occasion even though Revolution Church will have nothing to do with being revolting (at least I hope not!) or starting rebellious movements in an anarchist kind of way. Church planting involves a lot of risk taking and the passion and perseverance to see things through knowing that at times there may be stumbling blocks and mistakes to overcome. Putting total trust in God and his goals can seem anti-intellectual to analytical types, but it honors God and through it he is revealed to the world.

So, while I’m shocked–more like: disturbed, freaked out, in denial, claiming conspiracy–I’m glad I took the test and I’m okay with it for now. I’ll take it as a sign that I need to spend some more time working on things here at home and on myself so that I can recover and get back on track with being able to fulfill the things that God has made me passionate about.

Father God, please give me a renewed heart and a renewed mind so that I may continue the work you have created me for. Order my steps, change my steps, send me back a few steps, whatever it takes. Give me the faith to follow your voice wherever it takes me and to be at peace with whatever the stops along the road look like. I pray that you will not give up on me and let me learn how to be more balanced in life, more loving of your people, driven to the right things for the right reasons, and to love myself as you have loved me. Until I know clearly what your will is for me and my family I will take rest and focus on those things you commanded to me in your word and lift up myself to you daily, sometimes even hourly, until you respond. May your will be done here as in heaven and may you give me a servants heart to carry out your purpose through me. In the name of Jesus, amen.

During another bout of insomnia I checked out a personality test on Facebook (there is a link to the right where you can join and see the full test results) and it gave me several patterns to my personality:

1. Focused
2. Organized
3. Innovative
4. Authoritative
5. Assertive
6. Astute
7. Resilient
8. Accessible
9. Competitive
10. Efficient

I’d agree with all of these, yet maybe not in that exact order–of course, taking the test at 2:30am after only getting 4 hours of sleep the night before probably isn’t helping the accuracy! The definition and context of these patterns in relation to my personality seem very accurate as well. However, there was one interesting note which was in the definition of Accessible as a pattern:

Accessible

You’re comfortable expressing yourself in words and actions, with no self-censorship. You believe that if someone doesn’t like what they see it’s not your problem, but theirs.

You don’t see the need to keep your thoughts to yourself, or to have a zone of privacy that encompasses only yourself and a small circle of friends and relatives.

A high score on the “accessible” trait suggests that you have a lot of friends, socialize often, and enjoy rap/hip-hop music.

That last part is the craziest thing I’ve ever seen in a personality test. How the heck could they figure that out? Regardless, it is actually true. I do enjoy rap/hip-hop music, although not all of it.

I’d be interested to know the results from others that have taken the “Personality Patterns” test on Facebook