Prepared to Answer

My grandson, James, is growing up much too quickly for my liking. It seems like just yesterday I was holding him in my arms for the very first time, now he’s getting ready to enter kindergarten. He may be ready, but I’m not. People say it all the time, but I really don’t know where the time goes.

A few weeks ago, he went to the school for his kindergarten screening. As with everything else in his life, he did it with the James flare and personality. He walked into the room and sat down with the teacher. He had a pencil firmly held in place behind his right ear.

“Hello, James,” his teacher greeted him with a smile. “Why do you have a pencil behind your ear?”
James answered her very matter of factly. “I knew I would be doing some writing, so I brought a pencil just in case you didn’t have one. I wanted to be prepared.”

His response set the tone for the rest of the screening, his personality shining through in his easy conversation sprinkled with jokes. When my daughter picked him up, the teacher, who had had my shy granddaughter a couple of years before, said to her with a laugh, “He’s no Julia!” Yes, my grandson’s personality once again took center stage.

James entered the screening having thought things through a bit and carrying what he thought he would need. He was prepared. We have many things in life we must prepare for: a school test, driver’s test, job interview, and marriage to name a few. We study, practice, get advice, whatever we need to do to prepare. A lot of thought and time is spent preparing for so many things, but how much time and thought do we put into being prepared to answer questions about our faith?

1 Peter 3:15 tells us, “But in your hearts revere 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…” Are we prepared for this? Do you know what you would say to someone who asks you why you believe in Jesus as your Savior? I think back to my grandson. When asked why he had that pencil behind his ear, he had an answer at the ready. He didn’t hesitate, because he knew precisely why he had that pencil with him.

How can we be as prepared as James when we are asked the reason for our faith? By doing what he did. We think it through and ask ourselves the tough questions, questions others will ask us. What do I believe? Why do I believe it? Who is Jesus? Why did He have to die? What does He expect of me? In the process of asking these questions, among others, you may find you need further preparation. That’s where studying comes in.

God knows you need answers to some difficult questions, so He lovingly wrote His word for you to find in it the answers that you seek. It’s time to crack the book and read God’s letter written to you. The letter that explains everything. Read it and study it with a passion to know the Creator of the Universe, who loves you so much that He willingly sent His Son to suffer the punishment you deserve. Drink in God’s love, grace, and mercy, and when someone asks you the reason for your hope-your faith-share that same love, grace, and mercy with them. Your preparation just might save a life for eternity.