Taking the Initiative

   This last semester, God has been impressing upon me the need to take the initiative when it comes to my spiritual life and my relational life. In other words, I need to be proactive about how I relate to God and other people. Often, I like to just let things happen. It is easier that way. I don't take the blame when things go wrong, and I don't take the responsibility when things catch hold. Life is tame, I am safe. But on the other hand, life is insignificant and small. You can do no great thing when you just let life happen. 2 Corinthians 8:17 tells us of a young man who began his ascent to spiritual greatness, when he took the initiative to serve the Corinthian church. Timothy was eager to bring the Gospel to Corinth and help the church there. He didn't wait for then to ask, he just went. And Paul was proud of him for doing so. But more importantly, God was proud of him. God smiled as his son eagerly found a way to serve him and did it with his whole heart.

Don't just let life happen to you.

   Do you look for, or invent, ways to serve God and the people around you? Or do you just let life happen? Your relationships will flourish when you take some time to think about where they are headed and take the initiative to lead them closer to God. Your relationship with God will flourish when you step up and create ways to be with God. Don't just think that it's going to happen. It won't, if you think that way. As with all relationships, it is work to stay close to God. (Please son't get me wrong here, God is always near, and you can never lose your position before God once you are saved. However, the less time and effort you spend in your relationship with God, the less you will draw near to him.) So I encourage you, look at your life, and find a way that you could take the initiative to serve others, to lead others, and to actively love God. If you dare to do this, your life will never be the same.