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. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
1 Peter 3:15

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For this series, we’re doing something really fun with our devotionals. As we welcome back some of our favorite pastors and teachers from years past on Sunday mornings, we’re going to “welcome back” devotionals from the past few years! We hope you enjoy these posts that garnered quite the heartfelt response when they first found their way into your inbox and on the Willow app.

My dad once asked me why I was so happy all the time. He wanted to know what had changed my outlook.”My faith in Jesus,” I said. He wanted to know more, but as a new believer, I did not think I had the theological knowledge to explain it well. So, I gave him my books and sermon tapes. As time went on, we had some great conversations, but I think I messed up that first time. Dad was not looking for theology. He wanted to know what had changed me. He wanted my story. He is gone now, and it is too late for me to say what I would have liked to have said back then. If I had the chance again, I would tell him how I met God.

Dad knew I had contracted chicken pox in the first trimester of my first pregnancy. He knew there was a chance my baby would have congenital disabilities. He did not know how, in my despair, I had sought out God for the first time. I never told him how I sensed Him saying, “Everything will be alright.” Dad knew my daughter was born healthy, but not how it had changed everything.

Have you noticed almost every sermon or devotional begins with a story? Jesus often used parables to challenge peoples’ way of thinking. His stories have the power to transform. They are memorable and connect us in a way that concepts alone cannot.

We all have a story, and we all know people who need Jesus. If we live out our faith, people will become curious. And when they ask us about it, we should always be ready to give them an answer. We don’t want to miss any opportunity because we were not well prepared. Take courage to tell your story with gentleness and respect, even if they mock you. Your kindness may bring them to a saving faith in Jesus.

Next Steps

If you have not thought about it before, what reason would you give for “the hope that you have”? 

Think about what drew you close to Jesus. Maybe it was a person who influenced you or a situation that proved God’s faithfulness. Perhaps it was the moment you realized you are never alone.  Whatever it might be, practice your story–it’s a good one!