The phrase "What would Jesus do?" (often abbreviated to WWJD) became popular in the United States in the 1990s and as a personal motto for adherents of Evangelical Christianity who used the phrase as a reminder of their belief in a moral imperative to act in a manner that would demonstrate the love of Jesus through the actions of the adherents.Now if that is not a challenge to the church of today, I am not really sure what is. However if that statement does not meet a defined challenge, dear reader, then I offer you the challenge that was proposed to me by a guest speaker at my home church earlier this month. Our former pastor came back to speak and I entitled the sermon "Overcoming Spiritual Aches and Pains: Growing a Healthy Church and Lifestyle" (by I entitled I mean I was in the sound booth and he didn't have one listed so I gave it a fitting title).
This sermon reflected on how to become a healthy church (and more personally-spiritually). Surely churches must grow and have people there, but it is NOT the number that matters, rather it is the action of love and following moral imperatives laid out by the life of Jesus. The challenge was this: Read the book, What Would Jesus Do?, and find out how it challenges you personally. Look for ways to find a personal motto to devote your live to following Jesus according to the application of his life to ours, through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.
I accepted this challenge (and you should too.) I ordered the book and read it more out of curiosity then true desire to expect change. But boy, has it changed my attitude toward daily life. (If you have read my blog before (It's Gone) you know that I promised change to God to allow Him to work in me.) But this helps my steps to move forward, faster...In the book, a challenge is given to the people of the church to live life and make decisions by first (really and truthfully) asking "What Would Jesus Do?" and supporting the decisions with prayer. They would report weekly on what God did because of the decision and interact with other Christians to encourage them in to continue in the challenge. This is to apply to major life decisions, minor choices, and even the smallest insignificant detail. This does not have to just be and individual (person-to God) relationship, but can be a person-to-person, person-to-group (church), and group-to-God. The bonding fellowship of others that are following this pattern helps, but it can be done with the help of the Holy Spirit.
After reading this book (and sharing it with my sister and aunt) I have been even more challenged to stay on track with my promises to God. My growth has been crazy since the beginning of July, but viewing my life in this manner has challenged my attitude toward following the lifestyle of Jesus and being a healthy Christian and not just the laid-back kind. I have begun to adhere to that practice, first through positive thinking and second by asking this question with my decisions. I should follow the clear picture of Christ and the example that he set for us: love others, love God, and serve Him in every capacity. Soon I will be living on my own, and building my own life, (don't ask when) but I know that I want to do these things to become healthy and overcome the pain of not living for God in the way that I should. Yes, it is my duty to ask this question, but that is for now, for when I am growing again after I have been pruned (John 15:2). This new growth is being watered and fed through the message from this book and has inspired me onward.
My challenge to you is to read What Would Jesus Do?, or its predecessor, In His Steps, in order to understand the fullness of this challenge listen to the sermon below first and it will help you understand what my mere words could not describe. (If I can attach it..) Once you read, follow the challenge that was given to the parishioners of the church in the book, you may be surprised at the results. I know that I have been thus far. I just have to get better at it; that will come as I grow. (If you want you can comment with your thoughts and experiences.)
Let's start the movement again, but instead of just wearing it on our wrists, or other apparel, we should actually practice asking the question daily: "What Would Jesus Do?"
