Initiative

Philippians 3:14 -  I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Not all initiative, the willingness to take the first step, is inspired by God. Someone may say to you, “Get up and get going! Take your reluctance by the throat and throw it overboard— just do what needs to be done!” That is what we mean by ordinary human initiative. But when the Spirit of God comes to us and says, in effect, “Get up and get going,” suddenly we find that the initiative is inspired.

We all have many dreams and aspirations when we are young, but sooner or later we realize we have no power to accomplish them. We cannot do the things we long to do, so our tendency is to think of our dreams and aspirations as dead. But God comes and says to us, “Arise from the dead….” When God sends His inspiration, it comes to us with such miraculous power that we are able to “arise from the dead” and do the impossible. The remarkable thing about spiritual initiative is that many times the life and power comes after we “get up and get going.” God does not just give us overcoming life— He gives us life as we overcome. When the inspiration of God comes, and He says, “Arise from the dead…,” we have to get ourselves up. Our Lord said to the man with the withered hand, “Stretch out your hand” (Matthew 12:13Links to an external site.). As soon as the man did so, his hand was healed. But he had to take the initiative. If we will take the initiative to overcome, we will find that we have the inspiration of God, because He immediately gives us the power of life.

  - Oswald Chambers

What area in your life has God called you to rise up?  Whatever it is, be assured that as you take the initiative to step out in obedience, the Holy Spirit will be there to empower you to complete what God has called you to do.

Have a Magnificent Monday!