What Would Jesus Do

A number of years ago there was a bit of a craze of wearing wrist bands displaying messages for all sorts of different groups, movements and ideas. I personally had a number of them, ranging from the Livestrong bands to the full collection of Christian ones including the W.W.J.D. one.

For those who don't know what it stands for it is the phrase "What Would Jesus Do". It was the idea that by wearing this on your wrist you would be reminded to think always about what would Jesus do in this situation or position. How would He act if faced with this situation, how would He behave if confronted by the same circumstances.

I wore my W.W.J.D. band constantly for years never once taking it off. I personally do not think it changed a single decision I made or made me a better Christian. I was a young and naive person with only a surface faith and nothing more. I was of the opinion that if I wore an outward sign of being a Christian I would instantly become a better Christian.

Recently I have been thinking about it in a slightly different way, a way in which it was not meant to be thought in but a way that I think helps me more. I think not of what would Jesus do, but what would I have done in the past. I think about the decisions I would have made in the past and how that decision fits with my faith and the teachings in the Bible. It is then that I think about what Jesus would do and how that compares with what I decided.

It is not something that I find easy to do, deciding to follow someone's plans other than my own. I find it extremely difficult to say my own plans are not good enough, that someone other than myself is right.

One of the other wrist bands I used to wear was one that said F.R.O.G. which represented the phrase Fully Relying On God. This phrase and following what Jesus would do and wants to do in my life is the place  I am aiming for in my life. I have a long way to go and a lot to learn but I know that with help I will keep making progress in the right direction.