Be Prepared!

I’m getting ready to go on a trip to see my Mom. I’ve been getting prepared in various ways for days. Two days ago I did all the laundry. I’ve been wearing old stuff that I knew I wouldn’t want to take with me. Yesterday I cleaned. I always feel better leaving if I know I will have a clean apartment to come home to. Today I spent time with my kids, as I won’t see them for a week. Tonight I showered and shaved my legs (always important when going on a trip. What if you crash and end up in the hospital? Do you want the doctor to see you with sprickly legs?).  I counted the days and counted out my pills (you don’t want to see me off my meds!). I thought ahead to the events I would be attending and laid out what I would wear. I made sure I had all my make up and personal hygiene products. I planned with care. There will be things I forget, and things I bring that I won’t need, but I’ve done the best I could to make sure I am ready for any situation.

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. I Peter 3:15

Just like I have prepared for my trip, the Bible says I should be prepared. The result of life lived in faith is hope. Hope is attractive. It is a rare commodity. People will want to know where your hope comes from. You should be ready to share that with them.

So how do we prepare to talk to people? First of all, we must be certain that we know where our hope comes from, and the reason we have it. We study to know the steadfast nature of God, whose promises are certain and true. We do the right thing, and in doing so we receive the peace and strength that give us hope. Perhaps we write out our testimony, our witness of how God is at work in our lives, and practice giving it so that we can talk without stammering. We understand how to bring someone into the presence of God so that they can find relationship. We spend time in prayer, both for openness and insight into the heart of God and for the people we spend time with, that they would be open to his touch.

If we never prepare to talk to people, will we be able to share effectively? Sure. There will be times that you have the exact right words to say, or that the Holy Spirit uses you in the lives of others in miraculous ways. Being prepared doesn’t take the place of the working of the Holy Spirit. Being prepared keeps you focused on God. It helps you recognize opportunities, and gives you words so that you are more confident. Being prepared helps you understand the amazing ways that God is working in your life, and helps you articulate that to others.

We prepare for trips. We prepare dinner. We prepare lessons and reports and financial statements. The motto of the Boy Scouts is Be Prepared! Lets not neglect the most important preparation of all, preparing to share where we found life.