You’re Gonna Serve Somebody
Back in the 90s, a bracelet became all the rage in Christian circles. It sported four letters and was meant to remind the wearer to keep Jesus at the forefront of our decisions.
WWJD - What Would Jesus Do? was eventually plastered on everything from jewelry to tees to coffee mugs. The phrase became a cultural phenomenon and a fashion statement for teens, and cool pastors looking for a sermon illustration
It began when a youth pastor in Michigan, wanting to inspire her students to live out their faith daily, stitched the letters on bracelets for them. Next thing she knew, the kids wanted more for their friends, until it eventually spread across the country.
Wearing a WWJD bracelet, a cross necklace, or even putting a Honk If You Love Jesus bumper sticker on your car can be great as daily faith reminders, or connect you with others in your faith tribe. They can even be evangelism prompts (although if you’re a bad driver, maybe skip the bumper sticker).
But the question is about more than behavior. It’s meant to shape our daily life. Every decision we make shows who is in charge of our choices.
On Sunday, Pastor Jay reminded us of the song Gotta Serve Somebody, by Bob Dylan.
The chorus goes:
You're gonna have to serve somebody
Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord
But you're gonna have to serve somebody
He challenged us to serve as Jesus served, not living for ourselves, but for His Kingdom. Whether asking “What Would Jesus Do?” or “Who am I serving?”, if the answer isn’t Jesus, then we’re serving something, or someone, else.
My mother taught me a question similar to WWJD that has stuck in my head for decades: Why Do You Do The Things You Do and Who Do You Do Them For?
It’s the question we should ask ourselves in everything. "What’s my motivation?" If we’re honest, the answer is often Me, Myself, and I. But Jesus invites us to move toward making the answer Him.
Interestingly, WWJD bracelets are making a bit of a comeback. Studies show that Generation Z is drawn to nostalgia in uncertain times. Young people today are searching for answers to loneliness, anxiety, and injustice. They’re not interested in shallow faith; they want something real; a Savior who speaks into real life, not just Sunday mornings.
That’s not discouraging though. It’s a wake up call. If people see us as a people who serve and love as Christ’s hands and feet, then, instead of just seeing a bracelet or cool Jesus tee, they will experience Jesus, a Person, living in us and through us.
His call to us is simple: follow Him, serve others, be His hands and feet, His listening ears, and His voice of encouragement.
WWJD? Love and Serve like Him.
REFLECTION CONNECTION::
• When I make decisions—big or small—whose approval or benefit am I really seeking?
• What daily habits could help me shift my focus from serving myself to serving Jesus and others?
• If someone observed my life for a week, who would they say I serve most?