Yeah, amongst many other terms, this one has been leveled at me by a world that is turned off by the rhetoric of self-proclaimed religious experts who preach from financial, personal, and political agendas. For me, being called a ‘Jesus freak’ is confirmation that I am finally doing something right. It is not taken as it was intended, a term of derision. No, ‘Jesus freak’ is a badge of commitment. I’m not here to cast judgement, yea or nay, on anyone. The fruits of our works shall reveal our hearts.
Several years ago WWJD was an often used acronym, “What Would Jesus Do?” In order to understand the significance of WWJD one needs to become familiar with the character of Jesus of Nazareth as presented by the writers of New Testament scriptures. I am not involving myself in the arguments some believers will throw at the previous statement. Whether I believe that the divinity of Jesus, the Christ, as presented by the Roman Church fathers of the 3rd and 4th centuries is the truth or I believe that the man who lived as a vagabond and beggar with a troop of like-minded men and was crucified for his insurrection against the Romans, I must accept that this Jesus of Nazareth was a remarkable character and his teachings were eternal tenets of wisdom given in a dialog which the common man could understand when viewed in a spiritual realm. He is accorded the words, “I am the Way: the truth and the light.”
Whether I believe that Jesus was saying he was the only way to a heavenly God, or I internalize the teachings of Jesus into my personal code of conduct, the Way does lead to the truth and it is light, a personal kingdom of the Lord which dwells within.
But, I have to know those teachings. I have to process the words given in scriptures with my own powers of discernment, not the interpretations sent forth from the pulpits and theological doctrine. Ultimately I cannot trust the “isms” until those tenets strike truth within me. If this is not one of life’s lessons why would a Creator install in me the qualities of reason and logic? I cannot deny the wondrous works of the human crafter by negating any part of that crafter’s creation. I am made a miracle of genetic engineering; I come complete with a conscience; I am made to appreciate the world’s beauty; I am made with an intelligence which surpasses that of any other earthly species; I am made in the crafter’s image.
Those assessments of me are confirmed by the teachings of Jesus. Whenever I conceive a thought, contemplate an action, speak a word, or move onward, the utmost consideration should be “WWJD?”
lpb quest - the twilight dance 