In His Steps

I had the words “In His Steps” stuck in my mind. Little did I know there was such a book! I’ve had a burden for the homeless for a time, but man does this pull at the heart strings. So grateful I got to read this. The words are strong and convicting. Truly...What would Jesus do? 😭

At the beginning of every school year, the administration at my place of employment presents the teachers with a book. Last year we received Charles Sheldon's classic, In His Steps. This book was written in the late 1800s and is listed as one of the most read books ever. I am not big on fiction so I was not sure how much I would enjoy the book, but I am glad to have read it. Although the theological views of Sheldon greatly differ from mine, I realize I need to expand my narrow reading tastes. It is widely known that Sheldon was a leader in the Social Gospel movement and did not emphasize personal redemption from sin in Christ.

"What would Jesus do?" is the question that many of the members of the First Church of Raymond pledge to ask themselves before each and every decision they make. The commitment to this pledge would bring about a radical transformation in the lives of many. Perhaps a significant number of people who have read In His Steps would argue there was not enough evidence to indicate that a true transformation took place in the townspeople. I think many would say the people simply started making better moral decisions. Regardless of one's analysis of the hearts of the fictional characters in this book, thousands have enjoyed and benefited from reading In His Steps. I was actually really into this book when I first started to read it. My disappointment in the book was due to a lack of significant character development. I think I would have enjoyed the book more if fewer characters were introduced and if the stories of only a few characters were played out more. In His Steps was written in a very simple manner, but at least a positive message can be taken from it. A clear gospel presentation is not given, but readers should begin to understand that we should focus on the Word and what He did.