Youth ministry comes with many challenges. Whether it’s planning, preparing or rolling with the punches, I find that one of the things that anchors me is W.W.J.D.
W.W.J.D stood for What Would Jesus Do. Growing up W.W.J.D was a cliché used by Christians to course correct on the journey of becoming more and more like Jesus. If you remember getting wrist bands with W.W.J.D on them, you may know what I am talking about.
The W.W.J.D that I sometimes use is not the original version. However, it stems from the same heart. It is What Would Joe Do? I know it sounds like blasphemy and it might be but before you cast the first stone, hear me out.
Growing up and being a part of the youth ministry, we had many leaders. Joe Chong was one of them. In fact, he was the one in charge and I didn’t even know it. At the time, I didn’t understand and appreciate the wisdom, knowledge and understanding he had and demonstrated as he cared, loved and taught us all these years. Now that I am in a similar position as him, I find that reminding myself of the sacrifices and love and care that was shown to me as a youth by Joe gives me a new perspective covered with God’s love.
For example, after the Wildfire retreat I drove some of the kids back to church for their parents to pick them up. It was an hour or so drive and unfortunately my AC was not working that well (sorry to everyone who was in my car). On the way to church, I drove by my house which was approximately 25-30 mins away from the retreat center. Talk about poor planning on my part.
It would have been way easier to drive home and arrange for the kids to get picked up by their parents. However, when I was driving I asked myself, What Would Joe Do? Historically, Joe used to pick me up and drop me off from bus stations and malls, wherever we could find a place to meet.I never paid him a dime for gas money and I probably wasn’t mature enough to show him my appreciation. Joe had a full-time job and lived in the west end at the time. He would trek all the way down from Brampton to Fairview to pick up Darryl, Desmond and myself. He went above and beyond to show us how much he cares about us. If you asked my peers they would echo that sentiment.
Please hear me out. I’m not trying to replace Jesus with Joe. That would be a terrible thing to do. Joe was the hands, feet and mouth piece of God to me before I had any real relationship with God. God used Joe to display His love for me. Joe used to say, “You cannot give what you have not received.” Joe was operating out of the love of the Father that he himself received. The truth is that Joe was functioning with a What Would Jesus Do? Attitude.
Here is what I know: The same Spirit that gave Joe wisdom, knowledge, understanding and a whole lot of patience, is the same spirit that lives in me and also you.
The scripture tells us:
And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.
Romans 8:11 (NIV)
Whatever season you are in and whatever challenge you may be facing today. Remember that Christ lives in you through the Holy Spirit and can see you through. If you are stuck and confused, try asking yourself W.W.J.D (What Would Jesus Do?) and allow the love of God and the transformational power of the Holy Spirit to renew your minds. Take some time to reflect about how your mentors and/or fathers/mothers in your life have gone through tough times. If you have the time, reach out and gleam from their insights. But most of all, look to your Father in Heaven, who wants to walk with you every step of the way.
Father, I pray that you would help transform our minds and hearts through Christ Jesus to become more and more like you. May we represent you to whoever we meet, wherever we go. May we not lose the wonder of your great love for us as we continue to serve you and your people. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!