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1 Peter 3:15
“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”
It’s a passage that we probably grew up hearing, about how important it was to be able to defend our faith and explain to others why we believe what we believe and why we follow Christ. And that is an important element of this passage. But being able to share in words why we follow is not the only way we can give a defense. In the face of criticism, whether fair criticism of the church as a whole or unfair criticism because we are misunderstood, our words are often far less effective a defense than our actions can be. When we put the words of Jesus into action, that can be a far more compelling defense of why we believe than anything we can say.
This month begins with hurricane preparedness week, which serves as a time for us to start preparing for the responses that may come if a hurricane strikes this year. When we respond to a disaster, one of the most common questions we receive is “why are you doing this?” And we can confidently say that we are serving because we follow Jesus, and it is what he commanded us to do. As summer approaches, how prepared are you to share your faith? What answer are you prepared to give if asked why you follow, or why you serve?
Prayer: God, as we prepare for whatever challenges we may face – either questions about why we follow you or opportunities to show others why we follow you, remind us of your love for us, and help us show others that love as well.