Several years ago, the fad of WWJD bracelets made the rounds of Christian schools and spread through surrounding neighborhoods. The whole thing irked me. Yes, IRKED me, as in annoyed, irritated, bothered me.
If you’re too young to remember the fad, WWJD stands for “What Would Jesus Do?”
“How could such a reminder irk you?” you might ask.
Well, (big sigh), I watched my students at school and the teens in the youth group and anyone sporting a WWJD bracelet. I’m sorry to say I saw no difference in their behaviors or their general outlook on life.
What’s more, I had used the phrase, “what would Jesus do?” as one of the major themes in my Christian walk, long before WWJD became a popular acronym. And I meant it. I got in the habit of asking myself that question, really a form of prayer, for hundreds of decisions that I needed to make, big and small. Those four words changed my worldview and my heart.
Do you know where I first learned of the phrase? From the book, In His Steps, by Charles M. Sheldon.
Written over a hundred years ago, Sheldon created a fictional town where one pastor and a few members of his church pledge to spend a year doing only what they think Jesus would do. The editor of the local paper has to decide what Jesus would want in the news. A wealthy young woman must consider if she is in the same position as the rich young man who met with Jesus. All who participate have some tough decisions to make as they endeavor to help the needy, serve their fellow man, and most of all, please their Savior.
Of course, their decisions affect everyone in town.Some neighbors, even fellow church folk, are not pleased at all, which makes for great conflict, and great conflict makes a great story.
While Sheldon originally wrote the book for adults, Helen Haidle has written a version for children. Either works well for read-aloud if you want to make this part of a family story time. If you’ve never read In His Steps, I urge you to add it to your list. Like me, you may never be the same again.
The Scriblerians 
Profound and a great reminder. I’ll have to check out In His Steps. Sounds like an interesting story. Really great post, Gretchen!
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Oops. I meant great post, Linda!!!!
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Thanks, Lisa. I really did love that book. Makes you stop and think if you could really follow through on doing what Jesus would do.
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I’ll have to check it out. Thanks
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Agree with you on the importance of actual outcomes being changed as a consequence of awareness.
Otherwise, we had only sugarcoating that was too much to swallow.
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I love your choice of the word “sugarcoating.” I actually wrote a blog post not so long ago on that idea, titled “No Jelly in the Doughnut” on my personal blog. (www,my2ndnature.wordpress.com)
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I always had issues with how tritely people treated the WWJD thing. I’ve heard of In His Steps, I think my father may own a copy. But I never realized it was a fictional story – I will definitely be looking into it.
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