Grabbing the initiative – do it first!

“The Golden Rule” is found in some form or other in most world religions:

• Buddhism: Treat not others in ways that you yourself find hurtful.
• Confucianism: One word sums up the basis of all good conduct… loving kindness. Do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself.
• Christianity: In everything do to others as you would have them do to you.
• Jainism: One should treat all creatures in the world as one would like to be treated.
• Judaism: What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor. This is the whole Torah; all the rest is commentary

The contemporary Bible translation, The Message, says it this way: Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for behavior. Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them. This catches the spirit of Jesus’ words. “Take the initiative. Do it first.”

Take the initiative to be kind, thoughtful, gracious – before the other person even knows what’s happening.

Wonderful illustration: People I know faced a sudden medical crisis. An ambulance rushed the mom to the hospital. The aunt stayed with the children. Immediately a neighbor appeared at the door. He said he and his wife had no plans that night or the next day and would be glad to help in any way. After the children were asleep, the aunt called them, and Linda came over and spent the night with the children so auntie could join the dad at the hospital.

Linda further arranged for a group of church friends to bring meals every other day for the next two weeks so the family wouldn’t have to worry about cooking.

These two families were of different faiths. Yet Linda and her husband grabbed the initiative and helped ease a difficult time for my friends. Their love was practical and very much appreciated.

What touched me about this story is that Linda and her husband weren't just talking their faith, they were living it. A great example for me to follow!

Story of a guy who seized the initiative while on a business trip.