Christian Living

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WHAT’S THE SPECIAL?

Nowadays, it seems like I find myself eating out more often than not. One particular time we were in a place we’ve never been before and I was curious about some items on the menu. So of course I did what most people would do in a situation like that- ask the waiter! Only this time our waiter was very new at the job and was unable to give me a sure answer. I asked him what’s the special and his response was an apologetic, “I’m not really sure, I’m new here. I’ve only been working here for two days.”

My initial feeling was frustration where I wanted to say, “it doesn’t matter if you started working here this morning, you should know what’s on your menu, otherwise you shouldn’t work the floor if you are not ready”. But then I realized that I would also be overwhelmed if I was in his position, so I just let it go, moved on, and asked him that when he had some spare time if he could please find out for me.

I realized that the waiter’s excuse might work for only a little while, and very soon he needs to be able to catch up and get a good handle on the menu that he is serving. After all, he is not representing his establishment very well by answering, “I’m not really sure”. In fact, that answer might just be what some people need as an excuse to never come back again.

1 Peter 3:15 charges us to, “…always be ready to give an answer for the hope that is within you...” Those of us that claim to follow Jesus and have a relationship with God should be ready to put into words that which we believe. The reason for our hope should always be at the tip of our tongues and that the front of our minds so that in the event that someone asks us, we are able to give a satisfying answer.

When we fail to articulate what it is that we believe in, we fail as Christians. Paul said “how will they hear unless someone tells them”. It’s true that not everyone is gifted to be preachers, teachers, and evangelists. And to some people talking in front of a huge crowd is a tremendously terrifying thing. But that is not what the Bible is saying. God recognizes our gifts, talents, weaknesses, and strengths – because after all He gave them to us.

The command has less to do with public speaking and more about personal discussions and conversations- and we all have those. Some won’t talk about what they already know. Some would talk if they only knew what to talk about. Our charge is to be ready.

Imagine someone asking you a question about God. They have been seeking or they have been confused for a long time about a certain subject and they came to you hoping to clear things up, only to hear, “I’m not really sure.” They leave your sight feeling more confused and more hopeless than before.

It’s true that God is so big that no one can really know everything about Him. However, that is no excuse to simply not try. The Bible instructs us to study God’s Word and to seek out those who have laid the foundations of knowledge for us so that we can understand what has been made knowable. When we cannot come up with a reason for the hope that is within us, we do such a disservice to Christianity. We misrepresent God and His people just like the “new” waiter takes away from the restaurant that he works for.

Let us do our best to dig into the abundance of truth that God has provided for us. Let’s realize that God saved us not to simply bring us to heaven, but to cause others to get to know Him as well. Let’s be faithful in our preparation to give answers so when people ask us, “what’s the special?” – we can give the answer that will satisfy them and give glory to God.

God Bless
March M. Villareal
[email protected]
www.manswicked.com

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