WWJD: Beyond the Bracelet

For centuries, Christians have excelled in iconography as a means to remind them of their core beliefs, express their faith, and motivate them to a faithful walk with God. Crosses. Fish. IHS. Various symbols and monograms have been used in association with the Christian faith. These icons have both positive and negative potential. On the positive side, they can accomplish the purposes described previously. On the negative side, they can become mere pieces of jewelry or art with little or no practical meaning (ever seen someone with a fish on the car's trunk flip somebody off?). They can become things we admire, rather than reminders of the One Who we worship. Also, they can be used as near talismans as attempts to manipulate the divine for our own prosperity or protection.

I remember a few years ago when the various colored WWJD bracelets were the fad. And, I actually liked them. I went through several of these, never taking them off until they literally deteriorated (or became so dirty I had to remove them). That says a lot for a guy who still can't bring himself to wear a watch--I just can't stand something on my wrist! As you recall, this bracelet was to remind its wearer to ask the all important question before taking any action: "What Would Jesus Do?" Admittedly, I often failed to ask myself the question despite the reminder that donned my wrist like an ancient phylactery.

Recently, I re-read the book that gave rise to the WWJD bracelet craze. Bearing the title: What Would Jesus Do?, Garrett Sheldon retells in contemproary language the phenomenal book, In His Steps, written by his great-grandfather, Charles Sheldon. While the book is fictional, it's informed by actual events in the lives of believers. As I read through this book once again, I was deeply convicted.

Though written over a decade ago, the message rings with relevance. It begins with a description of a busy pastor, leading a very large, successful church. Quite frankly, it describes to a "t" any number of American churches in suburbia. The pastor enjoyed a comfortable existence, in an afluent church that boasted large attendance numbers and, more importantly, huge contribution figures. Everything is "well" at First Church...until. Until a needy, pregnant, black woman interrupts the well-managed lifestyles of the pastor and the church members. At first, the church simply sends her away, not knowing what to do. The desperate lady attends church the following Sunday, pleading for assistance when she begins hemorhaging and faints before the church. Subsequently, she dies, leaving a small little girl behind.

This tragedy begins a spiritual odyssey for both the pastor and the church. He challenged the church to take a year-long pledge that, before anyone would make a decision, they would ask the question: What would Jesus do? What I like about this book is two-fold. First, it moves Chrisitanity from the realm of theory to praxis. It focuses, not on doctrinal nuances, but on actual service in the name of Jesus--something the church in America is in desperate need of. It challenges the insidiuous hubris that so grips our churches, and calls for self-denial and humility.

Second, the book is not a thinly-veiled strategy for prosperity in Jesus name. In fact, the folk who dared to make decisions based upon the life of Jesus met with severe opposition. Job losses. Economic reversals. Personal opposition and criticism. Why, there was even a movement within the church to fire the preacher over his new, fanatical views. Following in the steps of Jesus, remember, ultimately leads to the cross.

I think every church in suburbia ought to re-read--or read for the first time--this compelling book. In fact, I'm working on a strategy to get this book into the hands of every family at CrossBridge. We need to be reminded of our true mission. We need to be reminded that God's heart is with the poor, the disenfranchized, the outcast. Too often we've shielded ourselves from the mess of the world and in so doing have failed to work with God toward it's redemption. In the end, the book moved me to repentance. Perhaps it will do the same for you as well.

WWJD. It's more than just a bracelet...or is it?