Remember when everyone was wearing these initials W.W.J.D. on jewelry and asking the question, ‘What Would Jesus Do’?  Of course before long it became a cliche and like all fads, faded away.  But if we as Christians are called to live our lives in a way that honors God, we must ask ourselves the same question, ‘What would Jesus do?  How would He respond to today?’

Our society is currently fraught with fear, anger, uncertainty, despair, and violence.  We see it all around us whether we’re locked in quarantine or going about our daily lives in as normal a way as possible.

Fear is evident in almost all social interactions.  It’s placed a divide between us that is greater than the density of the mask we wear and wider than the 6 feet of safe distancing required.  Anger and violence are on display like never before.  We see it in the worded missiles thrown at one another over social media, hear it in the  news reports, and experience it in our streets.  New uncertainties rear their ugly heads every day through virus reports and in the differing opinions of the health experts.  Sometimes it’s all too much.  Our senses are overloaded.

BUT we are the LIGHT.  We have the HOPE within us, the ANSWER to all of life’s problems.  So what are we doing with the hope within?  Are we shining our light or have we allowed fear to dim the brightness within us?  Are we sharing our hope or have we given in to the despair around us?  Are we pointing to the Solution to all of life’s problems (Jesus) or are we giving more precedence to the issues instead of the solution?

These are questions that I have been asking myself, my friends, and my family.  In prayer and in my quiet time I find myself asking this of God: How would you respond to life as we know it in 2020?  How do you want me to respond to the issues at hand, to the hurting around me?  What is your will for me in this?

When I asked that last question of God, it brought to my mind the words of Jesus in John 6:38 (NIV), “For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of Him who sent Me”.  Jesus always put God’s will first.  He lived out the mission God gave Him.  So, what would Jesus do right now?  

He would live just like He lived over 2000 years ago.  Jesus would live to glorify the name of God.  He would live his life with one goal in mind, to do the will of the Father, to bring glory to His name.  

 So what is the will of God for us who are in Christ Jesus?  I Thessalonians 5:15-18 answers this question.  See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.  Always be joyful.  Never stop praying.  Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. (NLT)  

Did you catch that?  No matter what is going on in our lives or how we are being treated, we are to respond in love.  We are to choose joy, to keep a life line open to our creator through prayer.  We’re to be thankful in everything, the good and the bad.  We can’t do this alone.  We can’t complete this mission without the life changing power of the Holy Spirit at work in us.  Ephesians 4:21-24 tells us that since we have learned the truth that comes from Jesus, we should THROW off our old sinful nature and our former way of life, strip it off.  It then advises that we let the Spirit renew our thoughts and attitudes and it admonishes us to PUT on, like a garment, our new nature.  

If we are to walk through the rest of this year, may it be in the footsteps of Jesus who lived His life in total surrender to the will of God.  Then Jesus explained: “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work.  You know the saying, ‘Four months between planting and harvest.’  But I say, wake up and look around.  The fields are already ripe for harvest.”  John 4:34-35 (NLT)  What field is God asking you to harvest?  What sacrifice is He asking you to make so that His will may done?  Are you ready?  W.W.J.D?

Have you ever tried to force your kids or spouse to straighten up and fly right in an intense situation?  Has it worked out well for you?  I can’t remember a time that it has worked out for me either, but I can name dozens of times that it hasn’t.  

If there is one thing I have learned about the family dynamic it is this, I can not be my husband’s or my kid’s Holy Spirit.  And guess what?  It’s not my job to do so even though I seem to have a hard time grasping this concept from time to time. 

The desire to be my husband’s Holy Spirit always tries to rear its ugly head when we are in the car together.  I desire to make it from point A to point B safe and sound and preferably in one piece while his desire is to make it in a specific time frame (one he has chosen).  

My husband is a planner extraordinaire.  He schedules absolutely everything and by everything, I mean that he even plans out his free time.  But the one thing he doesn’t schedule into his calendar are setbacks: like human error, variances in traffic flow, the many time steeling diversions that come with having a family (like running back into the house to retrieve something for the upteenth time), differing opinions in the ranks, or any of the other mishaps or inconveniences that make up life as we know it.  If he puts it on the schedule at a particular time, it better work or else (think Monica from Friends).  This means that he is always rushed and stressed to the max and it shows in the way he drives and interacts with those on the road around him and in the car with him.  

My husband’s intense rush to get to his next scheduled time slot can be quite scary especially when life interferes with his carefully thought out plans.  What I have to remember in these stressful times is that I can’t control his attitude or the way he drives.  I also have to remember that I’m not in control of his actions or behavior and therefore my suggestions on the the way he should act while driving in traffic should be kept to myself.  If I really want to help and aid him, the best thing I can do is pray and leave the rest in God’s hands.  

Does this quite the angry storm that is my husband?  Does prayer cause him to immediately come back in alignment with my idea of the perfect husband/driver/man?  Absolutely not, but it does cause me to quiet my own spirit and helps me to act in a way that honors God.  It keeps me from being a shrew and from throwing worded missiles and barbs into an already explosive environment.

Prayer reminds me of who I am, who God is, and what is really important (my own attitude for one).  Prayer helps me to keep my focus where it should be, it reminds me that I have no control, and enables me to hand the situation over to the only one who does.  

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5

Are you feeling surrounded?  Has this past year left you feeling like a caged animal ready to lash out and bite?  Do you feel the army of your circumstances closing in around you?  Do you know where to turn?

Something I learned in my journey of discovering who I am in Christ (see Learning to Love the Woman in the Mirror) was that I can’t process in a crowd.  Though I need people and deep connections in order to thrive, I also need solitude and quiet in order to rejuvenate.  Being surrounded for me looks like noise, the expectations of others, and manmade obligations.  These are the things that so easily steal my peace and leave me feeling defenseless and on edge.   

When the loud, unloving words of others become like clanging gongs and symbols, I must run to the Rock.  When my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.  For You have been a shelter for me, A strong tower from the enemy.  I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings.  Psalm 61:2b-3 (NKJV)

When everyone and everything is clambering for my attention and I can’t find a moment of solitude, I can find rest in Christ.  “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29 (NIV) 

When everything including the kitchen sink has been thrown into the mix and I find myself the target of one curveball after another, I can have confidence in God.  Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.  For in the day of trouble He will keep me safe in His dwelling; He will hide me in the shelter of His sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.  Psalm 27:3, 5 (NIV) 

But the Lord will redeem those who serve Him.  No one who takes refuge in Him will be condemned. Psalm 34:22 (NLT)

As the song Surrounded (Fight My Battles) states: So my weapons are praise & thanksgiving.  This is how I fight my battles.  It may look like I’m surrounded, but I’m surrounded by you.   

Let us surround ourselves with thanksgiving and a garment of praise.  “To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”  Isaiah 61:3 (NKJV)

My daughter thinks I should have entitled this post, Don’t Be a Karen.  Regardless of the title, I hope the message comes across.  We are called to lead with gentleness just like Christ leads us.  We are not called to tyranny.  

Have you noticed that since the pandemic hit, there’s a lot more people telling you how to live and what you should or shouldn’t do?  Most of their words are not meant to inform but to coerce you into doing things their way.  Have you also caught onto all of the veiled threats?  I have, as threats are not a tactic I am enthusiastic about nor one I like to employ.  

When someone tries to use their influence, authority, or voice to try and force me to do something instead of appealing to my intellect and allowing me to choose, they immediately lose the battle.  Why?  Because, I stop listening.  

It’s why I parent my kids the way I do.  I lay it all out for them: the facts, pros and cons, the known and possible outcomes, and then I give them life examples.  I do all of this so that they have what they need to make a wise decision.  Do they always choose wisely?  No, but I give them the tools and the instruction manual they need and then allow them to make up their own minds.  

As a loving parent it’s my job to train them not to control them.  My mission is to equip them with Knowledge and where to find it.  Only they can choose what to do with the knowledge I give them.  

Do I want my children to make wise and safe decisions?  Absolutely!  Do I want them to make the right decision in each circumstance?  By all means!  But hear me out.  I don’t always know what the right decision is for them, only God does.  

My children also have free will, they have independent spirits, and their very own lives to live.  Though it’s hard to let go and to stand back, I don’t ever want my kids to make a life decision because they felt forced, pressured, or threatened by me.  I want them to have freedom in my love for them, just like I have freedom in Christ.  

God, being a good father gives us all we need to make wise choices.  Everything we need we have already been given.  We have a tried and true textbook, keys to the Kingdom, a Savior, Teacher, and Counselor.  But each one of us as an individual must choose how we utilize the tools given to us.  

Will we take it as it was intended  surrendering our lives completely to the Lordship of Jesus Christ?  Will we see it as a great story but give it no precedence in our Daily Walk?  Will we dismiss it altogether laughing at the notion of it even being true?  Whatever we decide, it’s our choice.  God gave us free will and even though He could have demanded that we see things His way, He allows us to choose.  Now our choices do have consequences (good and bad) and they are clearly laid out in His Word, but we have been given the freedom to choose our own course.  

But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then CHOOSE today whom you will serve….. 

Joshua 24:15a (NLT)

We have the privilege to choose whom we serve and we choose this daily by the way we live our lives.  While we are free to choose who is ultimately in control of our lives, we are not free from the consequences of those actions.  May we choose wisely.  

But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.  

Joshua 24:15b (NKJV)