The Initiator

Initiative.

It’s a concept so close to our hearts we scarcely realize it’s there, so ingrained in our lifestyle we don’t see it for what it is. And it’s so valued by our culture we look down on those without it. What, in fact, is initiative? Webster tells us it’s “the action of taking the first step or move, responsibility for beginning or originating.”

Ah, that’s the American way! We value those who create from scratch, or take up a worthy cause and rally the troops, or see a need and construct a plan and get the ball rolling. We set those people up as useful and devoutly to be imitated. They are worth something! They are contributing! - unlike the riffraff who loll about taking life as it comes. (And have you noticed that it seems the further north you travel in our great land, the more highly drive and industry seem to be valued? If that’s true, we live in a hotbed of initiative!)

Unfortunately, this lopsided value system permeates our spiritual life as well. As we learned Sunday, too often we go into a relationship with God under the assumption that we have originated the idea of reconciliation with Him. We took the first step, and God responded. That mindset continues to permeate our walk with Christ: we plan great things for Him, and ask Him to respond by blessing it all. We set about reforming our attitudes and actions, and beg His assistance. And when we fail repeatedly, we blame ourselves and muster initiative for yet another attack on the world, the flesh, or the devil.

Theologians have a term that sets us straight and comforts at the same time: prevenient grace. God wants us; God calls us; God softens our hearts; God draws us to Himself; God keeps us there; God changes us into the image of His Son; God will lead us Home. We have to choose to respond and to cooperate… but He initiates and enables everything.

If we are proud and self-reliant (Luciferian qualities, by the way), this truth will humiliate us, will stir up angry resistance within us. But if we are humble (is that why He said we must become as little children?), it will comfort and encourage us. Why? Because salvation and sanctification and glorification no longer rests on our puny shoulders, no longer depends on our trying hard enough or being persistent enough.

Arms exhausted from trying to fan the spiritual flame can relax. Feet aching from frantic service to God can rest. We are not initiators. We are responders. We don’t need to think up a plan to save ourselves or the world. We can’t produce spiritual fruit by our own efforts. And we don’t get extra credit for expending extra energy on self-generated projects for the Kingdom.

We can lay it all down, along with our pride, and wait on the Lord. Wait on His initiative. Listen for the still, small voice of His Spirit.

Then, “whatever He says to you, do it.”