I Hate WWJD

I grew up in the WWJD era. There were bracelets (even cool ones for guys), bookmarks, necklaces, playing cards (really??), and on and on. I gave in to the cultural current. Bought my own bracelet. I even think I still have that bracelet hanging on my rear-view mirror (a cool one!) Which I never notice now that it's been up there so long.

But the longer I live and the more I read the enlightened print media (thank you Frank Viola and Leonard Sweet for investing in "Jesus Manifesto"), I am beginning to really take a disliking to the whole WWJD deal. Here's why:  The WWJD mentality promotes Jesus as absent. It's like, "Well, Sarah's not here right now and we really need this paperwork to go out. What would she do if she were here?"

But Jesus ISN'T absent, my friend! In fact, He's alive and thriving (in case you haven't noticed). Saying WWJD is like ignoring Him to His face (how rude!). At the very least, we should be asking WWYD (What Would YOU Do?) straight to the face of Jesus each day. Or better yet, WAYDTMT (What Are You Doing Through Me Today?)

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What about you? Are you stuck in the WWJD era? Or have you started to wake up and smell the coffee and realize Jesus is right.here.right.now?

Comments

[Jay Cookingham]

I like to change that to "What is Jesus Doing?" myself. Besides a lot less letters it reflects the spirit of what you saying. He's alive, present and working through His Church. Good thoughts this morning bro', thanks for sharing!

[Scott Couchenour]

Jay - What is Jesus doing? What is Jesus doing? What is Jesus doing? - Sounds like a cool life mantra....

[Scott Couchenour]

The following comment is from http://billgrandi.com:

"I too dislike the WWJD moniker. Admittedly, I wore the bracelet for a few weeks but the quit...not because of any spiritual significance but because i didn't want to be part of a fad. I wore a Livestrong band for weeks and then quit for the same reason. But the WWJD did begin to bug me. Not for what you mention initially but now that you have put it into words...for that same reason. In my mind, I should be living my life for Christ 24/7 and with the reality that He is within me in the person of His Spirit. Not just when I feel guilt or need to make a decision. He should be in on the decision from the very beginning. Involving Him should be as natural as breathing to me. I tend to agree that WWJD puts Him off to the side in a compartment and then I drag Him out when I have a tough decision to make. I'm not sure if I have adequately described my thoughts but I hope I have."

Good input, Bill. Reminds me of the lyrics of a song I heard on the way into work this morning: "...with help from above..." Now, I know God is in heaven and all. But there seems to be this detachment from God that has been purpetrated throughout the years (I'm hear, He's there...) It just doesn't sit right with me. Jesus came to dwell WITHIN the hearts of man.

[MichaelDPerkins]

I love this...

He is here...right now...

[Dusty Rayburn]

Amen Scott!

He is here. He is alive. He is actively involved in the lives of those who are called by His name.

Not only does WWJD suggest that He is absent, but it points to the mentality that we have to be good under our own power. What would Jesus have us do? He would have us stop trying to be on our own and start allowing God to be through us.

[Sandra King]

You snagged my attention today! I think I'll pour a couple cups of coffee and discuss with Jesus what we're doing today.

[jasonS]

Scott, my father-in-law who was also my pastor for many years would say that "if I have to stop and ask what Jesus would do then I'm probably not going to make the right decision anyway." I totally agree. His life has to be inside us and coming out of us. Most of the time we aren't waiting to act, it's a product of the moment. If Jesus wasn't real to us going into it, then we probably aren't going to look for His help in the midst of it.

Like you said, the absent or external force of Jesus isn't going to mean much and is pretty offensive! Thanks Scott.

[Scott Couchenour]

Michael - Thanks, man. I appreciate you coming by.

Dusty - If I had to be good under my own power.... I shudder to even think about it. Thanks.

Sandra - Wouldn't it be cool to get a bunch of us together, pour our own coffee (Michael, you'll have to get a new mug first!! :) and discuss how Jesus is working in and thru us all?

Jason - You're right, we are in danger of using the WWJD as a veiled argument to go our own direction regardless of what Jesus would do.

[Zee]

i grew up in that era too (and still want to get myself one of those bracelets - like the one you've got on the picture)... it was a good reminder, although just like you mentioned, after a while it stopped drawing my attention because i had it for so long...

however, it was different with the necklace that mom got me. i wore it without taking it off for, i think, 8 years, straight... it fit my style and it was cool... but the best thing was that whenever someone would see it, they would assume that it's an internet address and then they would notice there are only two WW instead of WWW... that was a nice conversation trigger.

however, i do see your point.

[Rev. Allen C.]

I always add a TM, so that it's WWJDTM? As in "What would Jesus through me?" Like Paul, I acknowledge that when I somehow get it right, it's Christ doing it through me. I think, like you said, this more expresses an active relationship with Christ.