Be Prepared
By: Mike Wallace, Congregational Vice President
Pause and think a minute of all the people who, at a moment’s notice, have to be ready for anything. Maybe your list includes first responders, the military, athletes, teachers, parents, pilots, surgeons, and even our pastors. But does your list include you? . . . it should! As followers of Jesus, we are called to be ready…
“But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,” 1 Peter 3:14-18
We can’t expect everyone to observe what Jesus has commanded us unless we are observing His commands ourselves. Do we want everyone to know about God’s love? "YES" Then we need to show God’s love to everyone. Do we want everyone to know about Jesus’ compassion? "YES" Then we need to be compassionate to everyone. Do we want everyone to be stewards? "YES" Then we need to be good stewards with our own "3T's" -- time, talents, and treasures. Do we want everyone to study God’s Word? "YES" Then we need to study it for ourselves. When we give Jesus control over our lives, we allow His love, joy, peace, and hope to transform us. As this happens, our life becomes an act of worship that reveals His hope within us for others to see.
When we live like Jesus, people are drawn to Jesus in our act's of following Jesus. As we worship Jesus with our life, we will be able to honestly say that Christ in us is our hope and glory — and other people will believe it because they see the evidence in our actions. They might not like who we are or agree with what we believe, but they won’t be able to find a logical reason to hate us when our life is centered around loving people the way Jesus loved us. So as we go about our day, we aim to live with gentleness and respect toward everyone. Let Jesus’ joy, love, peace, and hope permeate our heart, mind, and relationships.
PRAYER
Jesus, make us more like You. Please get rid of any behaviors or thoughts that don't reflect Your character or heart for us. Make us bold, brave, and courageous — but keep us humble, kind, peaceful, forgiving, and gentle. Let the way we live reflect Your joy, hope, and love. And when the opportunity arises, help us to share our faith with genuine joy. "Amen"
