Initiative: A Small Thing with a Big Impact

From childhood, most of us were encouraged by parents or teachers to be people of initiative, not passive. Initiative is taking the first step. It is an effort or action done out of one’s own will, not by compulsion.

In the Bible, we find many figures who took initiative. They proved that their initiative, which seemed simple and trivial, actually had an extraordinary impact—even centuries later.

Here are three biblical figures who showed great initiative:

1. Peter: Walking on water (Matthew 14:22-33)

After feeding the five thousand, Jesus told His disciples to cross the lake first. While He prayed on the hill, their boat was battered by a headwind.

A headwind is also called a contrary wind. It means the wind was blowing from the front, against the direction of the boat. In the Gospel of Mark, it is told that Jesus saw His disciples straining at the oars against the headwind. So He came to them.

While the other disciples were afraid, thinking Jesus was a ghost, Peter responded instead, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water."

Jesus answered, “Come!" Then Peter got down out of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.

Who told Peter to walk on the water? Was it the Lord? No! Peter himself asked for permission to walk on the water with Him.

And Peter broke a record. He walked on water—not when the lake was calm, but in the middle of a storm. Peter took this risky step because he knew with whom he was walking. He believed that if the Lord commanded it, He would enable him to do extraordinary things.

Did the process go smoothly? Not really. Peter did begin to sink. Even though Peter’s journey across the water was not perfect, its effect was truly extraordinary. In history, he is the only person (besides Jesus) who has ever walked on water. Jesus must have been pleased that one of His disciples was willing to trust and follow Him fully. Peter was one step ahead of the other eleven disciples, who stayed in the boat as spectators. He took a step of faith by taking the initiative to ask the Lord to command him to walk on the water. Peter stepped out of his comfort zone and grew in faith.

Have we taken the initiative to ask the Lord to enable us to do things we consider far too great? Are we sitting still in the boat, or are we experiencing an adventure of faith by “walking on water”?

2. Mary:Anointing Jesus with nard (John 12:1-8)

Of the four Gospels, only John mentions the name of the woman who anointed Jesus’ feet with nard, namely Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus. In response to her action, Judas Iscariot said instead, "Why wasn’t this nard sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?"

It is not written whether Mary was rich or not. But one thing is certain: three hundred denarii was not a cheap price. One denarius was a laborer’s daily wage. In today’s terms, that would be about 120 thousand rupiah (let’s say equivalent to Jakarta’s daily minimum wage). That means the nard was worth around 36 million rupiah!

Who told Mary to anoint Jesus? No one. This was purely her own initiative. She not only anointed Jesus’ feet, but also wiped them with her hair. Would we be willing to anoint someone’s feet and wipe them with our hair? Not necessarily.

Yet Mary knew Jesus. She saw with her own eyes Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. Because of that, Mary liked to have quality time with Jesus. Talking and listening to His teaching. Mary was willing to sacrifice something expensive and do something that required great humility (wiping His feet with her hair), because He is worth the price.

What was the impact of Mary’s action?

“Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her." (Mark 14:9)

Yes, Mary was ultimately recorded in the Gospel. Though she was not one of Jesus’ twelve disciples, Mary is always remembered. Her sincerity and humility have become an example to many.

Are there things that keep us from doing something for God? In ministry, family, school, work, society, for those in need?

If we know God and His greatness, we too can have the initiative to act. It does not have to be something big. We can start with something small or simple.

In God, every little thing counts.

3. Zacchaeus: Returning what he had extorted. (Luke 19:1-10)

Tax collector was not a profession that was viewed well in those days. Besides collecting taxes for the Roman government, they often extorted more than they should. The difference became theirs.

And Zacchaeus was not just any tax collector—he was the chief tax collector. No wonder he was so wealthy. He was also hated by many people. Zacchaeus was a lonely man; no one wanted to be friends with him.

When he heard that Jesus was coming to his town, Zacchaeus went to the trouble of climbing a tree so he could see Him. Jesus, who knew Zacchaeus’ heart, began the conversation by calling him by name personally. "Zacchaeus, come down immediately, for today I must stay at your house."

So Zacchaeus welcomed Him gladly, because Jesus saw the need and desire of his heart, namely the longing to be accepted. Jesus even used the word ‘must,’ which shows something absolute. I am sure Jesus had many choices of places to stay, but He knew there would be great joy in heaven that day because one person repented.

But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord: "Lord, half of what I own I will give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone, I will pay back four times as much."

Did anyone tell him to do it, let alone force Zacchaeus to do it? No. Zacchaeus could have made no promise at all. Financially, he could have gone bankrupt or fallen into poverty because of that decision. Yet this was the fruit of his repentance.

Unlike the rich young man who went away sad because Jesus asked him to leave his wealth, Zacchaeus took the initiative to do something. That does not mean someone who wants to repent must do the same as Zacchaeus. He did it as an expression of gratitude for the Lord’s goodness.

This tax collector who showed extraordinary repentance is recorded in the book that never grows old. To this day, we can learn from the heart of Zacchaeus.

What Initiative Will We Take?

What about us? What initiative have we taken as the fruit of our repentance?

Initiative is a small thing with an extraordinary impact. And in the Lord, nothing is too small. He is able to turn something simple into something extraordinary. Let us take initiative! Have a great initiative day!