FREE ESSAY ON WWJD JOURNAL: MY PROJECT

WWJD JOURNAL: MY PROJECT

WWJD Journal.
During the time I was journaling for this project, I misinterpreted the focus. Instead of
the group doing this project together, we have each been working at different paces if
you will. So, in consideration of the directions for this summary, I cannot rightly say
that we agreed together for two weeks on this experience, and in so doing may have come
to a different end result than if we had agreed. With that in mind, I have decided to
include excerpts from my journal within my overall response to the project, along with
reflection and insight into specific instances that stand out in my mind.
I began journaling on Wednesday, November 26th. The first week or so of my journaling was
characterized by spiritual exploration and even little leaps of faith, while I was trying
to keep focused on my academics in spite of an indistinguishable illness that, even
today, has my doctors confounded. My first experience sets the mood for my thoughts about
the importance of how to shine in many different settings, and challenges me to this day.
For the sake of authenticity, I didn't correct my English errors in my journaling, and I
think it makes it a little more real. I write exactly how I would talk.
Wed,9/26: Well, [I] started journaling today. It's kinda weird to do this project, seeing
as we're all Christians anyway. Doesn't that mean we should always have this mindset, ya
know, "What Would Jesus Do?" Any way, I was also considering the lecture in Global today,
and that got a lot of questions going. So, I needed to go downtown, and I decided I would
try to go about my errands with purpose. I am Christian, and I just happen to go bible
college, and I just happen to be going shopping. I'm a Christian first and foremost. 
On my way out, I grabbed my lighter for some reason. I guess I always have one around,
but they're handy, right? Anyways, wouldn't you know, on my way downtown, a guy asked me
for a light. I hesitated, then remembered I actually did. As I handed it to him I thought
I should say something, but then he began to cough and turned away from me. He said
"These things are gonna kill me..." I asked him why he even smoked then, or if he'd ever
tried to quit. He said he had tried, and I told him I had quit some years back. When he
asked me how I did it, I thought, "here's my chance..." I told him that I did it for my
best friend, and I said "do you want to meet him?" He asked me if I was gay, and I said
no. I told him my best friend was Jesus. He said that his mom's been trying to save him
for years. He said he just didn't think he'd fit in at church, "church folk don't like
people like [him]". I said, "What do you think they say about me?" Then I showed him my
tattoos, and told him a little about my past. By the end of the conversation, he had
given me his cigarettes, and I had given him directions to ICCM. It was great. 
Now, in the interest of space, I felt it necessary to include that whole entry but
summarize a few of the others. The next was rather uneventful, I was just sick. Friday I
was set to thinking about some of the guys on my floor, and how they talked about some of
the female students at this school. I guess I kinda folded, though, and got caught up in
some of my own struggles and therefore said nothing to them in order not to be
hypocritical. I should have said something, but I've had the opportunity since then.
These are just more accountability issues. 
The following weekend was our lifecore retreat. We spent Friday and Saturday with our
sister floor, and I had already began to resent some of the people I run into at bible
college. I guess I was wondering why so many people thought it was okay to be
un-Christian when we're around each other, but we must be proper around non-Christians,
(or as I like to say, pre-Christians.) Some of these kids were really doing things I had
objections with, making sick jokes and carrying on just like some of my old friends. I
resolved to get the best out of this opportunity and pray for them and just let it be.
The lot of my journaling over the next two weeks has, for the most part, been outlined
above. The most exciting entry, in my opinion, was this next one.
Thurs.,10/11: Well, I'm in the hospital right now. But I'm so glad I left work.[I had
missed church the past two Sundays, and so had not seen if the man I met on the road on
the 26th had attended or not] I saw the guy who gave me his cigarettes, as I was walking
here. It turns out he's homeless, though I kinda figured that. But he went to the library
and looked up his mom on one of those people search websites. He gave her a call last
week on a pay phone, and she's going to drive up and meet him at the Metrodome on
Saturday. She's coming from Chicago. His name is Jamal. He is so full of joy, he's been
going to ICCM and he's praying and someone gave him a bible. 
Now I don't want to go back to school and have to face all the people there who would
rather argue about doctrinal details and other little things that really have no effect
on our salvation anyway. Jamal and I could've talked for hours. were I not ready to puke,
and we would have totally shared a glimpse into God's idea of happiness. God, give me a
new love for Christians who could use a dose of reality to enhance their perspective of
the mission you've charged us all with, and give me the joy Jamal has. So child-like and
unfettered.
That was a huge deal to me, and if I hadn't been so sick that I had to leave work, then I
would have never run into him again, and I really needed that boost. I was so happy to
hear about his situation, I only wish I had more space to include the entire set of
entries. He made me think long and hard about what I expect of God, and those around me.
I only had about six more days worth of journal entries after that one, in which I think
I really lost focus on this project. The first few I was pretty much in bed for. Sunday
night, I got a phone call from another person in my group, and got really mad. I also ran
into her on Monday, with much the same result. I didn't react how I would've before this
project, maybe two weeks ago, which is good. But I wanted to yell back, or defend myself.
I wanted to put her in her place. I hate it when people challenge my integrity, but I
really felt that I had no real excuse. I was sick, and therefore doing the best that I
could. Maybe I'll talk to her, maybe not. All I know is that if I hadn't been thinking
with the mind of Christ to the best of my ability the past couple weeks, I probably
would've ripped her apart right there in the hallway. I used to have a razor tongue, and
the thought's were present and ready to flow. Man, I'm lucky I didn't say what I was
thinking. Now I can pray for her, and for myself and the way I wanted to react. This
project has really challenged my thought life in many areas, and my reaction to negative
things. I find myself wanting to pray for my brothers and sisters instead of responding
in anger, or accusing them of impure thoughts. I need to change me before God can change
anyone through me.