Ready to Answer

I'm working as a demo lady in a grocery store this Summer. Sometimes people ask where to find a certain type of food, others ask for ice, and some just stop by to chat every now and then. Sometimes I'm taught a bit of another language from people strolling by casually, and at other times all I can do is listen to others talk as they rush toward their destination. Of course there have been tougher days as well as fun times, but God's always there amidst every experience. When things get quiet, especially during break time, I've been spending a lot of time practicing the spiritual disciplines of prayer and meditation on the Word.

Then comes my walk home. Usually enjoyable. Often calming. Some more time for one-on-one conversation with God once again.

And I walk in the door.


Often I struggle with forward motion; it is easy to get lazy after a day of being on my feet at work. Usually I think of how I really should spend more time with certain friends, but often I fail to pick up the phone. I've been meaning to make that call for quite some time now.


Someone may also experience spiritual laziness, especially after growing weary from being out "in the harvest." That's one reason why it's so important to keep the Sabbath set apart as holy: Rest in Him and be restored for another hard week of work. But remember to keep growing; God also waters us on those days. Just as Christ answered many questions whenever various people asked, so we too may be asked questions for which we must be prepared to give an answer...at any time.




While I'm at work people ask me questions which I never expect all the time. For example, if I'm handing out samples of yogurt and ice cream, sometimes people ask me where the chicken is. Some people have allergies, so they inquire about ingredients before they have a taste, and sometimes others ask that surprising question of "What's so great about it?" At times words come quick, and at other times I slip up a bit more than usual. And yet we're still to know how to respond to every question so that the customer may leave the store satisfied.

1 Peter 3: 15 also tells us that we are to "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have."

And if we read 1 Peter 3's surrounding verses, we learn of setting apart Christ as Lord and being careful to give our answers "with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience."




Sometimes I sit up in the staff room during my break and the others in the room are talkative. Some friends vent to me while others are content with silence.


Sometimes as friends we just chill.

At other times we're sharpening one another as Proverbs 27:17 speaks of ("As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another").


And as we continue to build friendships, the others might just have some questions.

The questions may come at unexpected times. But we are expected to have an answer for everyone who asks us to give the reason for the hope that we have.

And although we slip up every now and then...
God is still there.