“What Would Jesus Do?” It was a simple acronym to help us to remember that we should always consider how Jesus would respond in any situation.
I live in a college town so in my head I think I am much younger than I actually am. Both my children are in college. I met some of their friends, and they were calling me “Ma’am” and Mrs. Potts. I had a moment. Here I am thinking I am still a peer and all they see are some friends’ middle age Mom.
I love being around all the college kids and seeing their desire to know God more deeply. For many years, I was involved in, and then worked at a campus ministry. It was a transformative experience in my own life.
I have recently noticed more bracelets with WWJD/HWLF. Being the cool mom I am, I looked it up on the internet, so as not to let my child know that I actually don’t know everything!
HWLF= He Would Love First
I have contemplated this for many weeks now. The phrase, “WWJD?” made me think that there was always a “correct” answer and if I chose the wrong answer, then I really didn’t respond the way Jesus would.
There is relief knowing that there is one correct answer for every situation- Love! His response is always love, compassion, and grace. I have a strong personality and there are many times that my first response wouldn’t necessarily be considered very loving. The beauty of this is that even when I don’t respond with love, Jesus responds to me with love.
Years ago, when I became involved in recovery ministry, I felt very unqualified and that I couldn’t relate to women who had lost everything. One day after a very tearful meeting, I was driving home and praying, telling God that I was sure that I had missed what He asked me to do.
God clearly and kindly spoke to me and told me He didn’t call me to relate, He called me to love.
I had to pull over and allow the words to sink in my frazzled heart and mind. I began to walk with a different confidence. One that I could love like Jesus, without expecting anything in return. For many of the women I was the first one in their lives, that simply loved them.
Redeeming Grace’s Board decided to base our Core Values on 1 John 4:18-
“We love because He first loved us.”
We show love by:
- Being Excellent Stewards of our Resources
- Operating with Integrity
- Creating an Environment of Excellence
- Growing in our Personal Relationship with Christ
- Seeing Value in all People
- Offering Quality Programs
Knowing WWJD is HWLF is simply beautiful and full of grace. I am thankful He chooses to love me and you before anything else.
