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“Be sure to follow the teaching you have heard from the beginning. If you continue to follow what you have heard from the beginning, you will stay in the Son and in the Father. And this is what the Son promised to us – life forever.”
1 John 2:22 (NCV)
WWJD? What Would Jesus Do? The fad seems to have faded but the message remains. While I have certain reservations about the phrase, I know that many young people, and even a few adults, have used the intent of the phrase to make positive corrections in thoughts and actions.
A few years ago a group of young men from the Laramie, WY area recorded a CD that was self-titled Colors of Grace. One of the songs on the album is a catchy tune called What Would Jesus Do. The writer, Kevin Hanly, is a favorite of mine from Wyoba Senior High days. He wrote these words:
What would Jesus do / If He were standing where I am / What would Jesus do if He lived right now / Yes or no, walk away, / Turn the cheek, kneel and pray / What would Jesus do?
During the twenty-five plus years that I was actively associated with Camp Wyoba, it was my privilege and honor to witness life changing decisions made in the name of Christ. Campfire time was the highlight of the day. We looked forward to the evening time when we could share in the intimacy of testimony and praise of our Savior. The Spirit, the mesmerizing flames and the darkness all provided a safe place to tell of the love that we shared for and with Jesus.
One evening a young man stood to say that, because of the lessons he had learned at camp, he had decided to stop hitting his brother. Laughter erupted around the circle until he began to explain just how much and how often he hit his brother. It was significant. The boy publicly admitted that he was wrong, was sorry, and vowed to change. We prayed with him and promised to uphold in prayer his decision to change his life. The next summer that same young man was back at camp and he related to us that he indeed did not hit his brother again. He went on to say that his entire life had changed because of his decision. He used the WWJD message as a guide to change. He had accepted Christ and had been baptized. His relationship with his brother improved, certainly, as did his relationships with his parents and others around him.
WWJD could easily be changed to WIJD? Or What Is Jesus Doing? Jesus is alive and He stands next to us. We don’t have to ask what He would do. We need to ask, “What do You want me to do?” What is Jesus doing in this particular situation and how do I fit in? We must also be willing to follow His leading. Kevin wrote:
How can I get to know You, Lord / How my life would be handled by You / Maybe if I pray and read the Bible today / Well, I bet that’s what Jesus would do
Listen. Trust. Change. That’s what Jesus wants us do.
Prayer: Lord, we often think of you as far away and not interested in the things we do. That’s the easy way out. We know the truth is that you love us as no one else can and care for even the smallest of our needs and desires. We can’t be worthy of that kind of love, but we will accept it with humility and awe. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
Helen Schindler
Member
Bethel Baptist Church
Casper, WY
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