15 but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.
1 Peter 3:15
As I reflect on this passage, I am taken back to a time when I was in high school—which feels like a century ago. I remember sitting in Mrs. Boone’s English class. To be honest, I do not even remember what the topic was for that day, but I do remember very vividly what she said to me that day. She asked a question and called on me to answer—so I gave her an answer.
But then she said to me, “I am from Missouri. Show me.” I looked at her like, “What are you talking about?” She looked at me and said, “Prove it.” She wanted me to explain how and why I had come to that conclusion. Missouri is known as the “Show Me” state. I have no idea where that came from. But when she said that to me, it has stuck with me to this day.
This passage is telling us to be ready with an answer for how and why we have come to the conclusion that Christ is who He says He is. This passage is telling us to be ready to answer why we have chosen to follow Christ. This passage is telling us to be ready to explain our faith.
As I look at the world today, it is more and more evident that we need to be ready to explain ourselves. Each of us as followers of Christ will have moments where we face suffering and even persecution for what we believe. People around us are going to be looking at how we respond and what we respond with.
As you reflect on this passage, I pray that you are challenged the same way I was by Mrs. Boone. I hope and pray that you are ready for the “I’m from Missouri. Show me” moment.
Questions to Ask Yourself
- Are you making your personal time with the Lord a priority?
- Are you plugged into a biblical community that will help build you up and prepare you for that moment?
- Who can you encourage today, helping them to be ready for that “Show Me” moment?
Missions Prayer
Pray for our global workers as their lives and locations have been disrupted during the pandemic. Many have been living in temporary housing for months, awaiting the opportunity to return. Pray that the gospel has continued to spread in their absence and for renewed relationships when they return. See our church family’s global workers here https://brentwood.church/missions/global-workers/