The problem with WWJD

Now, don’t get me wrong; I think asking ourselves “What would Jesus do” is a very positive thing to do.  I believe it almost always results in a better decision, a higher outcome.  The problem is that it is self-limiting.  It really means, “What would I do if I were Jesus”.  Now that does access our higher self and it does challenge us to look at things from God’s perspective more – both of which are really good things.  But, theology teaches us that there is a God – and it’s not me.  This means we’re addressing our question to the wrong person.  Instead of asking myself “What would Jesus do” I need to ask God directly what God would do.  I have found over the years that God’s answer to that kind of question is frequently very surprising.  It goes off in a completely different direction than my thinking had been leading me.  If we just consult our own higher self, we miss out on God’s creative surprises.  So next time you are being intentional about what you will choose to do in a situation; go ahead and ask yourself WWJD, but then also ask Jesus, himself, what he would do.  It is a very tiny change in grammar, but a huge change in attitude.  You might be amazed by His Graceful response!

Advent

ADVENT

Christmas is a wonderful holiday.  Just about everyone loves Christmas.  Families get together, children are flooded with gifts.  Trees are decorated, houses are full of evergreens, candles, and the smell of baking cookies.  The whole atmosphere is charged with potential.  Maybe this year the Christ Child will actually bring Peace on Earth….

Then in a few weeks, the new toys are abandoned or broken.  The tree is sent to the dump, the decorations are put away, the food is all eaten, and families go back to business as usual – maybe with a few new resentments or increased stress to pay those Christmas bills.  And we forget about the Christ Child for another year.

It doesn’t have to be that way.  Advent is an invitation to take it all a little deeper.  Advent is a time to think about what it really means that God chose to be incarnated as a little human baby.  Advent is a time to make room in your life and in your heart for this wondrous breaking-in of God into human life.

Advent is a time to be pregnant with that amazing new God-life.  This God-explosion into our world will change everything – if we let it.

Advent is a time to cry out, “Come, Lord Jesus!”