Submitted by Pastor David Shadinger, Rock Port & Watson United Methodist Churches

One of my favorite authors, James A. Moore, saw a young man with those words emblazoned across the front of a t-shirt. When Moore complimented the shirt and message the young man responded, “Thanks, it gets lots of responses, comments and questions. You know, Missouri is the ‘Show-Me State,’ and in a sense, that’s what the world is saying to us Christians: ‘If you’re a Christian, show me! Don’t just talk the talk. Let’s see you walk the walk.’ Talking a good game is not enough. The world needs to see us really live our faith” (p.9-10).

The young man’s point inspired Moore to write an entire book about the topic, using the phrase as the title. Moore’s initial point in his book explained the apostle Paul essentially meant the same thing when he told the people at Philippi to “live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or am absent and hear about you, I will know that you are standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel” (Philippians 1:27).

Volunteers work together across this and many other communities. We help those in need and create a strong, stable Christian community. Like anyone else, Christians sometimes struggle and sometimes we face people who want to knock us down, but we can always stand tall if we hold each other up and give each other strength. It is also clear that just talking about it in church is not enough. The Christian faith is a lifestyle! We must show the world by our conduct, behavior, tone of voice, attitude, commitments, priorities, love and everyday actions. Ultimately, WWJD is so much more than a simple wristband reminder or slogan.