I Wonder...

I wonder. I wonder what would Jesus do? We say that all the time. We’ve got jewelry and miscellaneous paraphernalia that says WWJD? But I got to thinking about it lately.

I thought WWJD as everyone is getting ready for Christmas. We claim to give each other gifts as a remembrance of the gifts of the Wise Men. But I wonder. Do we do it because like to give or get gifts so much?

I thought WWJD as I join my community in concern over the significant number of jobs that will be lost in the near future. The news coming just before the holidays gives people a chance to change their spending, yet certainly puts a damper on the holidays.

I thought WWJD as I listen to children talk about birthday parties for Jesus this season. But did Jesus have birthday parties? Did He ever celebrate personal days during His ministry? Did He expect presents from others? Did He give material gifts?

I thought WWJD if He were alive today living in a tight economy, looking at the commercialism this time of year, in celebration of His birth? Did He come to be celebrated as an infant? Or would He prefer we recognize His sacrifice for us? Would He want presents, or would He want us to share His ultimate gift with others? Yep…I wonder…WWJD?

Team Players

The Apostle Paul really liked to give us every day things to help us understand what God wanted for and from us. Unlike Jesus though, whose pictures aren’t always easy for people today to relate to (shepherd’s, farmers, etc.) Paul drew from Roman life. I think the society we live in today is closer to that, making it easier sometimes to “get” what Paul is trying to tell us.

I’m reading Philippians right now, and chapter 1 verse 27 talks about “striving.” All the commentaries believe Paul is referring to athletic contests here. Though not as familiar with Roman sporting teams as I am with today’s sports, I’ve been thinking about whether or not I’m a team player.

I am a great team player…if I’m on a team I wholly agree with. But the way professional sports works, we don’t always get to choose the team we are on. Does that make me a team player, or not? Sad to say, I’m often not. If the saying is true that we’re only as strong as our weakest player, I’m grandstanding sometimes. A team is just that – a group working together. A team thinks alike and functions jointly, heading for the same goal. I realize that I’m falling short in helping those newer (or sometimes getting older) players on my team. I’m ready to run ahead of the rest, losing the support that’s needed in team sports. If there is no “I” in team, then Keith Drury is right that There is No I in Church either.