Pacesetting: Taking Initiative

“But the LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?” Genesis 3:9

God takes initiative. He always has. He always will.

God went to find Adam and Eve in the garden. (Genesis 3:9)
God called Samuel to Himself. (1 Samuel 3:1)
God initiated with Moses through a burning bush. (Exodus 3:4)

Jesus was an initiator. An initiator is someone who takes the first step on his own. An initiator makes a move toward someone or something without being told to.

Jesus started a conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well. (John 4:7)
Jesus invited his disciples to “Come, follow me.” (Matthew 4:19)
Jesus asked the invalid “Do you want to get well?” (John 5:6)
Jesus washed the disciple's feet. Nobody told Him to. He just did it. (John 13:1-17)
Jesus appeared to His disciples after He rose from the grave. (John 21:1-14)

Paul was an initiator. Paul initiated gospel conversations with the Athenians (Acts 17:16-18). Paul initiated gospel conversations with the Thessalonians (1 Thessalonians 2:11-12).

Initiating is a form of pacesetting.

My Turn to Initiate

Jesus commands me to be an initiator. If someone does me wrong, I need to be the one to go to them. To take steps toward them to make things right. (Matthew 18:15)

If I do wrong to someone else, I need to be the one to go to them. (Matthew 6:23,24)

It's a dual-edged sword. Whether I am the offender or the offended, I need to make the first move. I need to take the initiative.

In Romans 14, Paul takes the concept one step further. He explains the weaker brother concept. Once I understand that concept, I have to take the initiative to be the stronger brother. Always! I don't get to be the weaker brother any more. I need to take the initiative to understand the convictions of the weaker brothers and sisters so they don't sin and fall away from God.

I don't get to be the weaker brother ever again. I need to take the initiative to be the stronger brother.

When people see me take the first step on my own, they have courage to follow.

There are lots of ways to initiate with others. Here are some of the ways I try to initiate.

I take initiative as the first one to say, “Hello, my name is George.” If the person doesn't immediately offer their name, I will ask, “What's your name?”

I take initiative by asking the first question. I ask questions to show interest in their life. “How was your week?” “Has anything unusual happened in your life this week?” “Have you read any good books, lately?”

I take initiative by asking the second and the third and the fourth and as many questions as it takes. I want to take the initiative to get to know people. To demonstrate that they are valuable and I want to get to know them.

I take initiative by being the person who suggests:
* praying together
* quoting memorized Bible verses to each other
* having a quiet time together
* talking about what God is doing in our lives

I take initiative by being the one who initiates true fellowship instead of socializing. Many will socialize, few will fellowship. For most Christians, true fellowship is awkward and uncomfortable.

Practical discipleship tips on true fellowship

I take initiative by sharing the Word of God with people. I share the Word of God instead of reworded opinions I heard from others.

Taking initiative is a form of pacesetting.

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Posted on January 30, 2009