How good are you at taking the initiative? The better you’re at it, the more self-confidence you’ll have, and greater trust is given by those who experience ambition in you. Jesus introduced how to gain the initiative to have more self-worth, self-esteem, self-respect, and self-confidence. He said, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you (Matthew 6:33)." When these words of Jesus are learned and understood, the character trait of "Initiative" comes alive and idleness and eagerness of the soul is put to rest where Christian Character Counts.
The initiative of life is an ability people have to determine or assess things personally. It’s a powerhouse character trait to be used to do something before someone asks or before others do it. If you want a good life as God promised, you must take the initiative to obey the command “Seek God’s Kingdom” and work hard at it to receive the treasures of life. Otherwise, you’ll fall into the problem identified as procrastination (idleness) or pre-crastination (eagerness). Most understand who procrastinators are, but few understand the pre-crastinators. Think of “haste makes waste,” and you’ll get the challenge of this unfavorable character trait.
Throughout history, Scripture, and life, many procrastinators and pre-crastinators are seen. Jonah in the Bible is an excellent example of a procrastinator (Book of Jonah), and the Apostle Peter, who eagerly cuts off body parts (John 18:10-11), represents a pre-crastinator. In our day, procrastinators say, “I’ll put it off until tomorrow.” Pre-crastinators try to find shortcuts to be more efficient and productive. They say, “Let’s get things done now so we don’t have to do it later.” Pre-crastinators are eager and tend to act impulsively instead of planning carefully. I invite everyone to asses their character flaws to resolve the initiative gap, one way or another.
To integrate initiative into your personal makeup, there are several things you can do to fill in the gap to build a stronger character. First, don’t procrastinate and put it off until tomorrow. Second, don’t pre-crastinate and start small and be okay to start where you’re at. For both, don’t focus on the immediate results or how long or tedious it will be; focus on the bigger picture of the “Good” character that counts connected to a great life. Accept that you will also stumble and skin your knees often as you integrate new aspects into your character. Remember, “Fool’s haste is no speed.”
Today commit and engage in the work it will take to develop a Christ-like character to build a great life. Now the miracle and the test, you must choose to induct and maintain the initiative in your life to gain the treasures you dream about. The only things standing in your way are your procrastination or pre-crastination. A reality that fails to seek God’s kingdom through Jesus’s initiating way and truth where Christian Character Counts.
With Christ-like initiative,