Texas District

 

I was raised in the era of the “What Would Jesus Do?” bracelets. Anyone else? Still have yours? It’s a great question, but it can be problematic. Why? Because Jesus was an unmarried, childless rabbi in the first century.

 

He was not a single mom. He was not a retiree. He was not a product designer, photographer, or dog groomer. He did not have a smartphone or Instagram account. So, to answer the question “What Would Jesus Do?” I do not advocate you trade in your Adidas for sandals and trade in your current career to be an itinerant preacher. So, maybe a better question is, “What Would Jesus Do If He We Me?”

 

For example, Jesus was not a parent, but if he were, how might he parent? Probably with more time on the floor with the kids and less time half-listening to them while on his phone.

 

Jesus didn’t have to go to Wal-Mart, but if he did, how might he shop? Probably less time shifting from check-out lane to check-out lane (anyone else?).

 

Jesus was not on social media, but if he were, how might he use it? Probably giving more hope and encouragement and less initiating arguments with people who believe differently.

When looking at our lives through this perspective, and genuinely believing that Jesus’ way is The Way, it opens the door to mission not being a project of the church, a trip once a year, or an article you may or may not read, but instead we see that our entire life can be mission moments.

• Deciding between the closed Bible on the nightstand and the iPhone sitting next to it is a mission moment.
• Seeing the neighbor on the porch while your hand reaches for the garage door remote is a mission moment.
• Choosing between your Netflix queue and prayer is a mission moment.
• Selecting between your favorite music from high school and the latest song from Hillsong is a mission moment – (Have you heard “Fresh Wind“?).

In this season when so many seem wandering and confused on how now to live, knowing what we know about Jesus, how can his way of life inform yours, so that our whole lives are mission moments answering, “What Would Jesus Do If He Was Me?”