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Be Prepared to Answer

Mark 1:3b
“Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.”

Where I live, August is hot, humid and sticky. Preparing for some sort of way to cool down regularly is a must. It is a time for camping and picnics, but it is also a time to prepare for aggressive bees and mosquitoes. It is a time of festivals and carnivals, and it is also a time to prepare for the “winning of the goldfish”!

If you live in the Northeast, you know that your summers are filled before they begin. We pack every festival and carnival into a short 10-week period because it is the only time we can (sort of) count on the weather. Some of the carnivals include simple games like dropping clothespins into the jar, and others are more difficult—you have to knock down all of the milk bottles or you have to make all of your basketball shots.

One game that someone in my house always seems to win is the goldfish game. You have little goldfish swimming around in little bowls, and if you toss the little ping pong ball successfully into the little bowl, you get to keep the little fish. Sounds pretty good…kids love it! Parents on the other hand are heard far and wide proclaiming, “Here we go again!”

You see, most of us parents are not prepared for an instant pet in a plastic lunch baggie. I’m not sure why we are not prepared; we know it is coming. Instead, we run around looking for a new goldfish bowl, fish food, a net, and other fun items that one needs for “Goldie.”

As Christians we also need to be prepared. We know that there are people just dying to hear the Word of God. We know that when they have questions, we should have the answers. We know that we are God’s disciples, and that we should be prepared to do His work. It is our job to not only live the faith, but to learn about it as well, so that when the time comes and the questions arise, we have answers for those who are searching.

Am I saying that we need to know everything about God and the Bible? No, of course not. But I am saying that we should study the Bible regularly and continue to learn more and more every day about our Lord and Savior. When we have questions about the Bible, we need to find out the answers as best as we can so that we are prepared to answer that question for others when the time arises. We need to memorize important verses or, at least, know where to find them when we need them. We need to be strong in our faith.

Remember “Goldie.” Learn and grow as much as you can in the Word of God so that you are prepared to answer in His name.

Dear Lord: Help us to learn to set aside time every day to learn and grow in Your Word. Help us to help others see Your Truth, and help us to lead others to Christ. In His name, Amen.