INITIATIVE

But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps – Mathew 25:4

INITIATIVE is the quality and act of taking the first step. It is the power to act or take charge of a situation before others do; the ability to assess and initiate things independently. Initiative is a personal quality that shows a willingness to get things done and take responsibility. An initiative is the start of something, with the hope that it will continue. A person with initiative is enterprising, inventive, and resourceful. Things do not just happen; they are made to happen! Serving God acceptably demands the display of Initiative: moving yourself, and using your resources and ingenuity to serve (1Cor.15:58). You cannot stand for Christ, or move for Him, if you do not awake from the couch of ease: “And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep…” (Rom.13:11a). Prolonged idleness paralyses initiative. It is time to arise and win over apathy, drudgery, and laziness.

We see two very vivid illustrations of Initiative in the twenty-fifth chapter of Matthew’s Gospel. Five wise virgins took the initiative – “oil in their vessels with their lamps”; while five foolish virgins failed to do so (Mt.2:3-4). At the bridegroom’s arrival, the former gained access into the wedding, but the latter were shut out with their dying lamps. Again, the servants who received five and two talents took the initiative to trade with their talents, doubled their assets respectively, and were rewarded for their faithfulness (vv.20-23). The servant who received one talent however wasted the gift of initiative. Demotivated through selfishness, pride, and fear, he buried his talent and entered into “maintenance mode” instead of engaging in the dynamics of productivity (vv.24-28). He ended up losing even the one talent and paid dearly for his laziness: “and cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (v.30).

God gave us the First Example of Initiative at creation. He took charge over the earth that was “without form, and void” and the darkness that “was on the face of the deep” (Gen.1:2-3). Nehemiah took the initiative to mobilize resources and motivate his people to rebuild the ruined walls and gates of Jerusalem (Neh.2). While other disciples in the boat were satisfied with being spectators, Peter took the initiative that launched him into the supernatural, as he walked on the water of the Word (Mt.14:28-32). With desperate faith, the four friends of a paralytic took the initiative to break through the roof and lower their friend to receive his healing from Jesus (Mk.2:1-5). On the contrary however, Pilate bowed to fear and shrivelled from taking initiative, washing his hands and destiny off the positive side of prophecy (Mt.27:24).

God has given you the gift of Initiative; Use It! There is always the opportunity for Initiative; seize it! Never let the opportunity be wasted. One way or another, God given you the advantage, an edge, a lead, the trump card or upper hand. For you as a believer in Christ, the Spirit of God is your added advantage; and His Word is your cutting edge. You “can do all things through Christ who strengthens” you (Phil.4:13). You can always recognize and do what needs to be done without being cajoled or coaxed to do so. Initiative will empower you through adversities, challenges, difficulties, ingratitude, injustice, oppositions, persecution, setbacks, and tradition – that old excuse, “we have never done it this way before.” Make moves and forge on in faith with the life of Christ in you. Be willing to see what needs to be done for the kingdom and then do it.

Initiative must of course be subject to the Holy Spirit’s leading, lest you may motivate yourself in the wrong direction, and run off into oblivion. Discern that your drives align with the values of the Word and the Fruit of the Spirit. Nevertheless, do not allow excuses to keep you from being your best for God’s glory. Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.