“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,” 1 Peter 3:15
There was a knock on my front door. It was a blessing that my toddlers were napping. My neighbor from across the street was standing there. She and her husband were newly married, and we occasionally waved to each other and had casual conversations outside in the yard. (It has been over 40 years since this happened, and I don’t remember all the details.) What I do remember is that her question led her to trust Christ as her Savior that afternoon, as my children slept and I had the blessing of sharing the Good News with her. I had no clue that this was God’s plan for this day for her or for me. But because He had prepared me, I was ready to be used of Him!
The above verse is not a suggestion but is a command. So that is the first thing: “be ready.” It may not always be to share the gospel, but you may be the one to plant the seed that leads to salvation. Your kindness, forgiveness, listening ear, transparency, purity, or words may begin the journey for someone to be born again. Just live your everyday life in Christ and intentionally be available to be used by Him. You don’t know how your journey will affect others who see that there is something different about you. This is not onerous or hard; Jesus’ yoke is light. We really don’t have to have all of the answers to all the questions. Just trust and rest in where He places you and where you may place yourself. None of this is by accident.
“God calls us to cast our gaze upon Him, trusting His plan and timing – past, present, and future. He is sovereign over all the details of our lives.” – Alistair Begg
My husband and I recently moved into a 55+ mobile home park, and with it comes some new opportunities to “be ready.” We look at the list of social activities and think maybe we should try some of these for fun, but also for the larger purpose of living a life on mission. Where does He want us to place ourselves?
Think about some of the things you enjoy doing. If you visit a gym or fitness center to become physically fit, be prepared to be used of God to help someone become spiritually fit. Take a class, learn a new skill, volunteer, and seek where God wants you to bloom for His sake. Serving at church will also help you “be ready” in season and out of season! You can learn a lot as you engage with all the generations.
Here are a few things to think about as you intentionally take on life with this mission:
• How is God calling me to “be ready”?
• What is God doing to reorder my heart’s desires?
• Reflect on how you approach each day and how He wants you to live with Him on mission.
Francie Overstreet
EFCC Member