Take the Initiative
Matthew 7:12
Therefore, whatever you want others to do for you, do also the same for them – this is the Law and the Prophets.
Jesus gave this instruction along with His teaching to ask, seek, and knock. We can’t just sit idly by wishing our life were different. We cannot expect change to just come to us; we must create it. Jesus told us to ask, seek, and knock for the things we need, and to do for others what we want them to do for us. He explained this as a summary of the Law and the Prophets, and it bears striking resemblance to Leviticus 19:18 – You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
The Message Bible says to “grab the initiative and do it for them.” In other words, however you want others to treat you, take the first step and treat them that way. If you want people to respect you, respect them first. If you want friends, then first show yourself to be friendly. If you want people to help you, then serve them in some way. If you want people to be loyal to you, be loyal to them first.
If we ask, seek, and knock and treat others the way we want them to treat us first, eventually we will find our lives being full of the very things we desire. What a simple thing to do to multiply joy and influence in our lives! There will always be some instances where people do not respond appropriately, but that only reflects maturity they still need to reach. Be patient with them, and you will probably find they are being patient with you in some way, too.
Have a blessed day!