People of the Way

According to a story in Guideposts, Arthur Gordon visited a kindergarten class where the teacher frequently reminded misbehaving children to stop being a WAM. The kids straightened up as soon as their teacher pointed out they were being a WAM.

The teacher explained that W.A.M. stands for “What About Me?” She was attempting to teach the children to be less self-centered. She wanted them to think of other people’s needs, not just their own. So, she taught them that no one liked a WAM, a self-centered person who only asked, “What About Me?” Instead, this teacher encouraged the children to be a “WAY – W.A.Y.,” or as she explained it, people who ask, “What About You?”

I really like that. It is interesting to me because the early church was often referred to as “The Way.”

Rev. Billy Strayhorn picks up on this story from Guideposts and writes, “You and I are people of the Way. We ask “What About You?” Oh, occasionally we forget who we really are. We get lost and lose our spiritual toehold and become a WAM. But for the most part, we are people of the WAY.”

The apostle Paul once wrote to the church in Philippi – encouraging them to follow in the way of Jesus, “Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:4

Let us pray: Holy God, we thank you for the self-giving love we see and receive in Jesus Christ. As people who have been loved and richly blessed, may we ever be on the lookout for ways to love and bless others. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.