I was asked several months ago to review a book that was released last October called Jesus Prom, by Jon Weece. I didn’t quite understand the book at first glance, to be honest. I mean, what does prom have to do with Jesus, anyway? But after reading this book, I must say that Jesus has a lot to do with the kind of prom Jon’s talking about. You see, Jon pastors a church in Kentucky, and he and his people throw a party every year for two thousand mentally and physically challenged adults. They call it “Jesus Prom.”
Jon uses this example as a metaphor of the message he shares throughout the book. In Jesus Prom, Jon calls attention to many verbs we, as Christ followers, ought to be acting upon. “Nouns need verbs,” Jon says, and I believe he’s right. We (the nouns) need to do stuff (the verbs). The Christian life, after all, is not intended to be passive, but active!
We ought to be doing the very things Jesus did, by the power of His Spirit. We are called to do the Word, not simply hear it. And so we emulate our God with verbs like love (v.), be (v.), see (v.), rest (v.), die (v.), dance (v.), give (v.), go (v.), remember (v.), receive (v.), and more.
Jon gives readers a wonderful example to follow. It’s time to be the Church, in every way. We are the light of the world. Let’s let our light shine and do some verbs.
There is a story circulating about a group of boys surrounding and eventually muting fans at
a basketball game who had the temerity to mock a cheerleader with Down Syndrome. It reminds me of a time when a friend and I sat with a black family who had became the target of racial taunts
at restaurant where everyone else was white. It really seemed like a terribly small act to me, but years later the father of the family told my own father how grateful he was and how he would never forget that. Too often, we’re tempted to believe we’re too weak, too inarticulate, too flawed to make a meaningful difference when all we really have to do is take the first step and give control to God.
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of
these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'” – Matthew 25:40
I love that, Jef! We can do something about injustice. Wonderful examples!
Just like an English lesson, the noun and verb are not meant to stand alone! James 2:18 – “But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.” (I loved the analogy presented in this book and expanded on by your post!)
Debbie M., I love your English analogy! Within the subtleties of language, we can find the keys to all we seek if what we seek is pure. I often challenged students in a variety of business and other courses to find two words in the English language with the exact same meaning. Many accepted the challenge,but none were able to fulfill it while learning an important lesson. Understanding those subtleties allows us to develop empathy and foster the type of meaningful understanding on which effective collaboration is dependent. Our words shape our thoughts and our thoughts shape the very essence of our character.
“To learn without thinking is fatal, but to think without learning is even worse.” – Confucius
Love this, Debbie!