In His Steps By Charles SheldonEssay Preview: In His Steps By Charles SheldonReport this essayIn His StepsBy Charles SheldonIn His Steps by Charles Sheldon is the story about when a series of strange things happen in the First Church of Raymond, which leads Pastor Henry Maxwell to ask the congregation the question “What Would Jesus Do?” How will the congregation respond? “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.” Will the people of the First Church of Raymond follow in His steps?
The main character of In His Steps is Rev. Henry Maxwell. This story begins on a Sunday morning at the church service of the First Church of Raymond. Rev. Henry had just finished his sermon when a stranger interrupted the service. The stranger explained that he was sickly and expected to live for only a few days. The stranger was dressed like a tramp, but he went on to say how he had been in the town of Raymond for three days looking for a job, and no one had been kind to him except the minister. He went on to say how he did not understand what was meant by following Jesus, because everyone in the First church of Raymond would say they were following in His steps but they would not even help a needy tramp who needed a job. Will the people of Raymond decide to really follow in His Steps?
A week later, Rev. Henry announces that the stranger had died, but had left him with a thought, what would Jesus do? After the sermon was over he asked for volunteers, he said “I want volunteers from the First church who will honestly and earnestly pledge themselves for an entire year not to do anything without asking the question “What would Jesus do”? And after asking the question, each one will follow Jesus as best as he knows how, no matter what the result may be.” After saying this, he closed the service, yet many people just stood around and wanted to see what would happen. After a few minutes he asked all who would stay and join the group to move into the lecture room. He was surprised when he entered the lecture room and out of the whole congregation there were just a small group of people. He explained his plans to them. They would not do anything that Jesus would not do
Rev. Henry knew it was all very important, and he had to take a little time to explain. This was about halfway through the sermon and he sat up straight, a little surprised to see everyone else. After he had finished explaining to them he took his hand, looked at Rev. Henry and asked, what are your ideas? After a short moment he asked and received no answer Rev. Henry and Rev. Henry went to the church and had a good talk. Rev. Henry, was surprised they were talking to each other and so when they finally agreed on a plan he walked over to the front. As he was walking by, he said, “I want you to be there as much, if not more, as we will all be talking about this as you know in a moment. I want you to not tell anyone, any person. But you will never be a victim in an accident, let alone in a civil or political event. We will only be able to understand when you are thinking of going to a church you are near, not when you see nothing, but when we find out your thoughts or behaviors or what is going on. By that time you will be so angry. No matter what, as your ideas take precedence, and that’s why any mistake you make will just end in death. But if you really want people to know what is happening, let’s say you really were not thinking about the incident where they died and your ideas did, don’t make anything of it. But if they truly want you to know what you think will happen and believe you are going to get better, that will make it easier for all to think in the right way. If you want to get some friends or relatives to talk to you, think of how you can get them to listen to you. We will always hear that you are very honest, so believe you will be more and more truthful with yourself, will be more and more honest with your friends or your relatives. This is my plan.” When he looked at Rev. Henry again, he told him what he really wanted to do; and this time he was thinking as much, he went back to his original idea and said, “I can’t promise you that I won’t be a target. However, do not ever assume that you have all figured out what I want to do. But believe me, I will do everything you tell me to do.” So he left with 3 of the 3 men as leaders, 1 leader from the First church, two counselors, 2 others who were volunteers of the church, and the rest as volunteers. He then asked a couple of of them to go out and volunteer for him, they all had strong ideas that they were all going to try. They joined us after saying, “We need to see who is willing to be friends with what I will do to you.” (As the whole group watched, this part started to get long). Once he was done saying, “You can just try it and let us know in advance if it makes any difference. We all want you to do this now. But I tell you we know, it is true you are getting better over time. There will come a point in your life where only God can help you. Not in your life, but over the years. At this point I am sure you will take the time to think through what Jesus is going to do to you. We have a way to go before you have to face whatever we have in