Are You Doing Just What You Have to Do?
Or Do You Want More?
I sometimes find it hard to make my own decisions. When friends are figuring out something to do, I usually just go along with the popular opinion. I may not really be in the mood for Mexican food but I go along anyway even though I might have a taste for Chinese food. In one sense, it’s actually okay because I do like Mexican food and I like the company so I still have a great time. If I don’t make a decision in a case like this, it doesn’t really hurt anything. After all, it’s just food and the company is the same regardless of what we eat.
But in another sense, I may not be sharing my opinions with others as much as I should if I’m often simply going along with the flow of the conversation. Sharing opinions and ideas add even more flavor to relationships. Sometimes it’s a good idea to start a conversation as well as just following one.
Somewhere along the line, I learned to blend in and not make waves. I took the phrase it’s better to be seen and not heard to heart. The result is that I’ve spent a lot of my life being reactive–not proactive.
Do not rob yourself or others of what you have to offer. ~ Patsy Clairmont
Reactive living means that I am responding because of a stimulus or responding to keep something from happening. Even when I go the extra mile for a job that I’m in, I’m still being more reactive because I’m doing it to keep my job. There’s another stimulus causing me to go that extra mile.
Proactive living, on the other hand, is creating or controlling a situation by causing something to happen rather than responding. It’s when you step out and do something because you want to do it for you or you want to do it to help others. Nothing is making me do those things. I’m being proactive in doing those things.
However, since no one is making you do those things, sometimes they don’t get done. Various reasons and excuses constantly get in the way. Basically, proactive living means doing more than you have to.
Reactive living involves going to work, doing a good job at work, running errands, doing daily inevitable chores, feeding a family, spending time with family and friends, going to church, etc., etc. It seems the list of have-to’s goes on forever.
Proactive living involves:
- Doing things even though I’m tired from all of the reactive activities.
- Walking to a neighbor’s house because I know they are ailing just to ask how they are in person.
- Working on some form of art because, not only do I love it, but other people may enjoy the finished product as well.
- Pausing what I’m doing for a few minutes or longer when a family member is in need of help or encouragement.
- Working out so I will have more energy for my ordinary and extraordinary duties.
- Stopping to say a prayer when I see or hear about an accident or tragedy and, if I’m able, physically helping as well.
Often, it’s the Holy Spirit nudging me when I’m provoked to do more than the minimum needed. And, I’m always better off when I listen and obey.
In scripture, I’m told to let my good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise my heavenly Father (Matthew 5:16). Proactive living brings glory to God. It’s not all about me.
The bible also tells me that I am the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13). Proactive living brings flavor to the people of the world.
Since being more proactive will help shine light and spread the flavor of salt to the world, it will also help me avoid an unfortunate way of life—being a lukewarm Christian. No Christian is meant to be tepid. Lukewarm living does nothing help other people and will make the Lord want to spit me out of his mouth (Revelation 3:15-16).
It’s a constant battle for me to do everything that I’m supposed to do and then keep on going and do all of the extra things too. I’m not going to be perfect all of the time and that’s okay as long as I keep on trying and never give up.
The have-to’s in life (reactive living) sustain and maintain life. The extras or the get-to’s in life (proactive living) make that life much more enjoyable.
With God’s help, I can move from reactive living to proactive living and do it on a regular basis even when I’m tired.
What do you put off regularly that you know you should do in order to help other people and bring God glory? Why don’t you do one little piece of that today?
