No 17

(Initiative, Responsibility; Humility)

Initiative is: energy deployed in taking action. Making the best of opportunities to witness. Assuming responsibility for the physical and spiritual encouragement of those around us. Here are some questions that we can ask ourselves to find out if we have initiative. 1) Do we wait to be told to do something that we know must be done? 2) Do we introduce ourselves to newcomers to the church or do we wait until someone else introduces us? 3) When is the last time we took advantage of an opportunity to explain the Gospel to someone?

Responsibility is: Trustworthiness, reliable. Learning to assume the protection of that which was entrusted to us. Here are some questions. 1) Would those we work for leave their most cherished possessions in our care? 2) Do we delegate to others jobs that we know that we should do ourselves? 3) Do we have to be reminded to do the tasks that assigned to us?

Humility is: Not proud or haughty; not arrogate or assertive. Recognizing my total inability to accomplish anything for God apart from His grace. Quickly directing praise to God and others. Being able to distinguish between flattery and praise. Some questions: 1) How many times have we thanked God for the things He has allowed us to accomplish? 2) Do we welcome criticism or do we secretly resent the ones who give it? 3) Are we inwardly grieved or pleased when another Christian has failed?