Initiative

by Molly Dillon / Keizer Campus Principal

I am love, love, loving this month’s character trait “initiative”! I spotted it in our students on the first day, where several immediately befriended new students during class, at recess, as well as in the lunchroom without being prompted. I observed this character trait on our new soccer field where high school sophomores, juniors and seniors were enthusiastically leading the freshman, quickly assimilating them into the team. These are a few examples that may seem on the smallish type level, yet to those on the the receiving end of the loving-kindness, it was huge!

1 John 3:18 says “let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” Initiative is a valuable tool to help us love and serve others. It’s not too difficult to recognize what needs to be done, yet a lot of times the action piece is where we run into trouble. It often takes courage to leave our comfort zones and set aside any “fear of man” or issues of inconvenience to step up as part of the solution. When God reveals a need initiative drives us, but only by the power of the Holy Spirit will we know with confidence the right action to take. That action may simply be a small kindness, a call to prayer, or committing to being part of a long term, life-changing solution. In the process of meeting needs, initiative isn’t about speed or jumping in, it’s about obediently taking action according to God’s timing, and His perfect will.

We at Crosshill are richly blessed to be sharing life with an incredible number of families who exemplify godly initiative. Several are families who recognized the need for the redeeming love of Jesus in other countries, and faithfully served in Missions. Others have taken the initiative to meet the needs of the homeless, or open their godly homes to foster kids in our city. They infuse our community with amazing testimonies of the possibilities waiting for us when we take the initiative to be a part of what God is doing all over the world, and where we live. 

God is providing our children with opportunities to stretch and grow in initiative right where they are in their spiritual walk. With enough guidance and encouragement, they will become disciples who confidently and consistently do what is right, faithfully serve one another, and proclaim the gospel without hesitation. 
 
May our eyes be continually open to loving and serving others.
 
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– Molly Dillon / Keizer Campus Principal