Taking Initiative

What does it mean to take initiative? My parents used to tell me this a whole lot. It means to take the first step. It's so easy in our homes or careers to notice a problem and be the first to blame or the first to talk about the problem. You would be surprised (or maybe not) to find how many issues in the church get that kind of treatment instead of someone taking initiative. This generation has churches that are staffed with multiple pastors and support staff, but in spite of all that, we don't have our shortage of issues. As long as the sun continues to rise every morning there will be issues in every organization, especially an organization like the church that is focused on people. There'll never be enough staff to cover all the bases, never enough equipment to manage everything, and never enough volunteers to fill every spot. But, for sure, we'll never get closer to our goals if we spend more time noticing issues and looking to someone else for answers. The church desperately needs people that are willing to take the first step in solving an issue, somone willing to take initiative.

In the Book of Acts, Paul shows us what taking initiative looks like. In Acts 27:6-10, Paul is about to be ferried to Rome under guard, but before they set sail, Paul speaks up and says, "I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives." Paul was willing to take action when no one else was, and probably looked a little dumb for doing it. We should take Paul's example and be willing to take the first step, to speak up first, to take initiative when any issue arises.