“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”
- 1 Peter 3:15 NIV
Thinking about my old buddy Jake the Dog as I sit down to write today.
As an old dog, he got gray around the eyes and snoot and slower in his gate than he once was, but he was still faithful to his morning routine.
Every early morning, I would let him outside and he would sit perched on the edge of the porch—alert, ears up, watching the backyard and the open space beyond it as if he was guarding something sacred.
When he was younger, Jake would sometimes wander. He would chase anything with legs and sometimes would dig under the fence to get to it…
But as he got older, he learned the better work wasn’t chasing what didn’t matter—it was staying ready for what did.
Sometimes I think faith is a lot like my old buddy on that porch…
We say we believe.
We say Christ is our hope.
We say the gospel is good news.
But life has a way of testing whether those beliefs live deep in our bones or only sit lightly on our lips.
Peter didn’t tell us to be dramatic with our faith.
Or be loud with our faith.
Or be clever with our faith.
He simply said:
Be prepared.
Be steady.
Be settled in the truth you proclaim.
Be ready when someone—anyone—asks, “Why do you have hope at all?”
Preparation doesn’t start in the moment of the question.
It starts long before.
It starts in quiet mornings when you open Scripture not to check a box, but to meet a Person.
It starts in whispered prayers while doing dishes or driving to work.
It starts in the steady obedience of choosing Christ today… and again tomorrow.
The world doesn’t need more Christians who can win arguments.
But it desperately needs Christians who can live answers.
People recognize peace when they see it.
They notice hope that doesn’t shake.
And sooner or later, someone will ask why.
When they do, don’t panic.
You don’t need a polished speech.
You don’t need seminary words or dramatic stories.
You just need honesty.
Tell them what Jesus has done.
Tell them who He has been in your life when the night was long and the road was rough.
Tell them how the Gospel has held you together when nothing else could.
And like Peter reminds us…
Tell it gently.
“Do this with gentleness and respect.”
Not pushy.
Not proud.
Not defensive.
Just real.
Just like an old dog keeping watch over the backyard… faithful, steady, ready.
Lord, settle Your truth deep within me. Let my life reflect what my lips proclaim. Make me ready—not with perfect words, but with a lived-out hope that points to You. When others ask why I believe, give me courage to answer with gentleness, honesty, and grace. In Jesus name… Amen.
Keep the Faith… Carpe Diem
