I was walking to my car at the metro and I walked by a jeep with the above bumper sticker. I thought it was so funny that I had to take a picture. As I was laughing about the bumper sticker, I started thinking about a book I read years ago titled, In His Steps by Charles M. Sheldon. This book is a fictional tale of a minister and his congregation who take up the challenge to ask, ‘What would Jesus do?’ before they act for an entire year.
In the first part of the book the minister gives this sermon, “What I am going to propose now is something which ought not to appear unusual or at all impossible of execution. Yet I am aware that it will be so regarded by a large number, perhaps, of the members of this church. But in order that we may have a thorough understanding of what we are considering, I will put my proposition very plainly, perhaps bluntly. I want volunteers from the First Church who will pledge themselves, earnestly and honestly for an entire year, not to do anything without first asking the questions, ‘What would Jesus do?’ And after asking that question, each one will follow Jesus as exactly as he knows how, no matter what the results may be. . . Our motto will be, ‘What would Jesus do?’ Our aim will be to act just as He would if He was in our places, regardless of immediate results. In other words, we propose to follow Jesus’ steps as closely and as literally as we believe He taught His disciples to do. And those who volunteer to do this will pledge themselves for an entire year, beginning with today, so to act. ”
This book is short and a very easy read. If you are looking for a good, quick summer read, this is a good choice. In the fall I am teaching the New Testament for Early Morning Seminary and I am looking forward teaching about Jesus’ life on a daily basis. My favorite quote is by President Ezra Taft Benson. It says, “Men and women who turn their lives over to God will discover that He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can. He will deepen their joys, expand their vision, quicken their minds, strength their muscles, life their spirits, multiply their blessings, increase their opportunities, comfort their souls, raise up friends, and pour out peace.”
I think the book and the quote all sum up the idea of moving closer to Jesus in every way. As funny as the bumper sticker is, I think that this is a question that should be asked daily and not just when driving too close to a red jeep.
