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.
- 1 Peter 3:15
In show business, most theaters are equipped with an area offstage known as the green room. For guest performers, this room is usually stocked with snacks, comfortable furniture, and a television to watch what’s happening onstage. It’s in the green room that performers—from late show guests to rock bands—have the time and the space to mentally prepare themselves before they walk out into the spotlight.
Life isn’t showbiz, but in this respect, you might wish the two had more in common. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could always have time in a green room before life’s biggest moments? What a luxury it would be to know exactly what was coming and have the space to prepare yourself for it!
Unfortunately, life’s biggest moments aren’t usually advertised on a marquee beforehand. You aren’t given a green room in which to get ready. Instead, readiness needs to be your automatic posture.
That’s what 1 Peter 3:15 is getting at when it calls believers to “be prepared to give an answer” on behalf of Christ. It’s not about apologetics, not about ‘defending the faith’ so much as understanding that your opportunities to share the gospel aren’t always—or even often—planned in advance. Your best occasions for witnessing don’t necessarily come at the end of a church service; more often they come in the flow of everyday life.
You
might wish life and ministry came equipped with green rooms so you’d never be
caught unawares. But until then, best to keep the command of Scripture in mind—know
where your hope comes from, and always be ready to tell people about it.
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