Often while driving I like to talk to God or say a quick prayer. The other day, my three year old and I were running some errands and so I used the opportunity to say a quick prayer about something that popped
into my head. As I was praying in a soft tone, my daughter heard me and said, “ Daddy, what you talking about? ”. I told her, “ I am praying to Jesus.”
How easy it was to tell my daughter what I was doing. I began to think about how easy it is to express our faith, joy and hope and talk about Jesus with family members and close friends. Or how easy it is to worship and praise the Lord at church and express our joy because everybody is doing it and we are comfortable.
But, what about the times when we are in a group of three or four co-workers at lunch and the topic of joy, happiness and hope comes up or a stranger comes up to you individually and asks why your mood is so pleasant? Are we so fast to give them the true answer and if we don’t give the true answer, is it because we are scared to speak up?
God loves us all so much, He wants us all to express our joy to everybody. He wants us to be able to come right out and tell others that he is where we get our faith and hope. The apostle Peter says in 1 Peter 3:14-15, “But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, do not be frightened. But in your hearts set apart 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.”
I have been in situations where I was timid and didn’t speak up like I should have and then felt guilty. 2 Timothy 1:7 tells us, “ For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” God will give us what we need to speak up for him if we ask him and are willing. He will do anything for us, even send his son to die on the cross for us so that we may have the free gift of salvation and spend eternity in his glorious kingdom. Now that is something to speak up about!
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