1 Peter 3:15 – “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.”
Being a bit of a history buff, I am intrigued about the Minutemen, the gallant soldiers from the American Revolutionary War. Dedicated to the protection of our then fledgling nation, they remained continually battle ready.
From an encounter at a recent social gathering, I realized I could learn a lot from the Minutemen. I arrived feeling weary from a day of overflowing commitments and distracted due to a complicated family situation. Wanting to distance myself from the boisterous get-together, I took a seat in a secluded section of the room.
My plan for remaining only a few minutes before making a polite exit were interrupted when a young woman sat down next to me. It did not take long to learn she was in a tumultuous season. For the next several minutes, she shared about health concerns, marital strife, financial strain, and the recent death of a family member. It was only after the hostess called her away and her subsequent departure, I recognized the missed opportunity to support someone in a battle.
Unlike those Minutemen who would drop everything to join in the fight, I was too focused on how I was feeling and my own concerns to share about a valuable and powerful weapon for combat. While this opportunity has passed, my desire for future ones is to quickly share how having a relationship with Jesus provides an inextinguishable source of hope regardless of the battles we are facing.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for always being there for us regardless of what battle we are facing. Help us to remember that we need to always be ready to share with others who are struggling that You are the inextinguishable source of hope. In the Strong Name of Jesus, amen.
- Phyliss Hooten
