When my oldest daughter was in the first grade, her class had a word of the week. Usually it was some big word. The very first big word that she learned was “initiative.” She was so proud to say that word to us. I asked her what “initiative” meant, and she said, “I think it means doing what my teacher wants me to do before she asks me to do it.” That is a good definition of “initiative.” Sometimes we get crosswise with people, and sometimes we fuss and fight with people. If we want peace to come back to a relationship, somebody has to take the initiative to make peace happen. I often hear people say, “I will apologize when he apologizes to me. He knows my number. He can call me. As soon as he says he is sorry, I will talk to him.” And while both parties wait, the conflict just grows deeper. Stupid human pride is probably the number one road block to rediscovering peace. Peace only happens when someone takes the initiative God took the initiative with us. While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Now that is taking the initiative. Next time you are in conflict, ask God to show you how to settle that conflict. Do you need to take the initiative today to go and settle something with someone?
– Dr. Tim Thompson