This post is part of the May Synchroblog on the topic “Life Unfurling.” The purpose of this synchroblog is to write about something that we’ve “let go of” along the way in our spiritual journey.

This is an easy one for me. (Well, easy in one sense. But, in another sense it is dreadfully difficult and painful.)

What have I “let go of”? Me. I’m not saying that to sound super spiritual. Instead, what I’m saying is this: The “me” that existed a few years ago does not exist any longer.

When I first graduated from college, I was extremely introverted. I enjoyed closing myself in my office, working on my computer, and interacting with other people as little as possible. I was also an extremely self-centered person. Oh, I loved my wife, but primarily because of what I got out of it.

In the years that followed, God has changed me. I’m now much more extroverted. I enjoy spending time with people. I actually enjoy serving people. Now, I love my wife for completely different reasons.

Wow… It seems so strange writing about what I used to be like, and what I’m like now. I did not plan to change. I was happy with myself.

Somewhere along the way, as I walked with God, little by little, that person changed. I’m not him anymore. I’ve left him behind. As I said, it wasn’t always easy. It often meant giving up who I thought I was and what I thought I could or couldn’t do.

I don’t look for that guy anymore. Years ago, I was perfectly happy being him. I don’t know why God changed me. I don’t know why I had to lose that guy. But, I’m glad that God has me here now.

(This post is not intended to suggest that introverts are somehow less mature than extroverts. I’m simply expressing how God has changed me over the years. I know some people who are introverts and who are very mature in Christ, and I thank God for them.)

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These people are also writing about “Life Unfurling” for the May Synchroblog:

• John Martinez at Indie Faith – Letting Go of the Holy Me
• Beth Patterson at Finding Ground – What is Passed Over is Not Love
• Jeremy Myers at Till He Comes – Help, I’m Lost and Can’t Find Myself
• Ellen Haroutunian – Life Unfurling
• Marta Layton – On Burdens, Blessings, Babies and Bathwater
• Alan Knox at The Assembling of Church – Where Did I Go?
• Crystal Lewis – What Happened When I Let Go
• Pam Hogeweide at How God Messed Up My Religion – Letting Go of a Church-Centered Me
• K.W. Leslie at the Evening of Kent – Legalism, Anti-Legalism, and Anti-Anti-Legalism
• Ryan Harrison  at How We Spend Our Days – Scraping the Barnacles
• Kathy Escobar at The Carnival in My Head - Letting God Off the Hook
• Christine Sine at Godspace – Giving Up For God, What Does it Cost?
• Liz Dyer at Grace Rules – What Do You Do When You Are Not Sure
• Dan Brennan at Faith Dance – Letting Go for a Greater Good
• Elaine Hansen – Recovering Control Freak – Let Go?
• Wendy McCaig at View From the Bridge - Embracing the Grey
• Chris at The Amplified Life - Seasons of Life