Steve's Letter: Where Is Jesus In This?

I read Charles Sheldon's book, In His Steps, years ago. It was written in 1896 and is the book where the whole WWJD thing started. If you've read it, you know that it's a story about a bunch of Christians whose lives were changed as a result of a tramp who visits their Midwestern church, challenging them to live out what they say they believe. The tramp dies, but his message changes the world of those people. The book is the story of what happens when Christians start asking the question, "What would Jesus do?"

...and then doing it!

I remember how deeply that book affected me. In fact, I decided I would live my life by asking that question and then, when I came up with the answer, doing it. God was pleased because he knew that my heart was a heart for him...but I suspect he may have also winced.

Years later, those WWJD pins, bumper stickers and bracelets started appearing everywhere.

I didn't buy or display any of the pins or bumper stickers, and never wore one of the bracelets. It wasn't that I felt the sentiment expressed therein was wrong. Just the opposite. It's a good question. Not only that. I was pleased that others had the bumper stickers, pins and bracelets.

Do you know what happened? Between the time I read the book and the time the pins, bumper stickers and bracelets came out, I came to a more realistic assessment of me as well as an awareness of how terribly much I needed God's grace and mercy. I was a lot older and a bit wiser. When I was young I had not failed nearly enough nor sinned nearly big enough to understand that Jesus is Jesus and, even if I knew what Jesus would do, I probably wouldn't or couldn't do it.

But maybe more important, I found out that Jesus likes me anyway.

Pastor in his twenties: "Lord, let me win the world to Christ."
Pastor in his thirties: "Lord, let me win my city to Christ."
Pastor in his forties: "Lord, let me win my church to Christ."
Pastor in his fifties: "Lord, don't let me lose too many."
Pastor in his sixties: "Lord, hold on to me tight."

I've decided that I like "widget" better than WWJD.

Let me explain.

This morning, my friend, Lea Clower, told me about "widget." That is how it's pronounced. The letters are WIJIT. Those letters stand for "Where Is Jesus In This?"I've been thinking about that all morning. In fact, it's so good I'm thinking about having someone make bracelets, bumper stickers and pins...and marketing those in Christian bookstores.I could make a fortune.

It's a great question. And it's a freeing question for the New Year. This year, I'm going to ask God to show me what he's doing in my life, my family, my church, my community and the world and then, in so far as I can, I'm going to come alongside him.

Who knows? Maybe he will let me be a part of it.

Do you remember in John 1 when Jesus started his public ministry? Jesus walked by John the Baptist and two of John's disciples, one of which was Andrew. John said that Jesus was the Lamb of God and then Andrew and his friend left John and followed Jesus. Jesus asked them what they were seeking and they didn't answer the question. (Most of us don't.) Instead of telling him what they were seeking, they simply asked Jesus where he was staying.

Jesus said, "Come and see."

Then the disciples followed him to where he was staying and "stayed with him that day."

I can do that!

And then there is another incident. John the Baptist is in prison and facing his death. He wonders if it's been worth it and sends his disciples to Jesus to see if Jesus is really the Messiah and worth John's death. Jesus says to John's disciples, "Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them" (Luke 7:22-23).

I can do that too!

Someone has said that when a "bubba" says to you, "Hold my beer and watch this," one should quickly move away.

That's wise advice.

Let me give you some more.

When Jesus says, "Come and see," go with him. Pay attention and be quiet.

What would Jesus do? I'm not sure because, as we begin this New Year, he hasn't done it yet. I just want to be there when he does.

I have been walking with Jesus for a very long time. Over the years, I've come to a fair and accurate understanding of what Jesus would do in most situations. That's not my problem. I have the information and, not only that, I teach it to others.

I know Jesus would forgive the twit who said bad stuff about me, that he would always treat people with kindness and gentleness, that he would cut slack for sinners, and that he wouldn't be angry with friends who saw things differently than he saw them. I know that he would speak truth to power, give love to the unlovable, and show compassion to those who don't deserve it. I know about his goodness, his purity and his cross.

I've tried to be like him.

But do you know what I've discovered? I've discovered that God has only one Messiah and Savior per universe...and even more important, I'm not him. I've also discovered that I don't have to be him. He's already done all that because he knew I would have trouble doing it.

So I have a New Year's resolution. I'm not going to ask what Jesus would do...I'm going to ask where he is and I'm going there to watch. I'm going to pay attention to what he's doing in my family and in my church. I'm going to try and see Jesus in my friends and even in those I don't want to be my friends. I'm going to pay attention to what he's doing in the world and in my own life, in politics and in Key Life.And then I'm going to ask him to let me be a part of it.

And he asked me to tell you:

"Come and see."

In His Grip,