“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).
Have you ever heard of the San Andreas Fault?
This notorious earthquake fault, which runs through California and keeps people waiting in anticipation for the “big one,” was named after a friend and disciple of Jesus: Andrew. Compared to his brother, Peter, Andrew was a relatively unknown, quiet, yet deep man. Not much action on the surface, but when he acted, something happened! Just like his geological namesake.
Andrew is brought to the center stage only three times in the Gospels. And in all three instances, he is seen bringing people to Jesus: John 1:40-42, John 6:8-9, 12:21-22).
Andrew dedicated his life to sharing the friendship and loving relationship he experienced with the Lord with others. Andrew was a true friend. “To love another person is to help them love God,” said Soren Kierkegaard.
In John 1:38, Jesus turned to a group of men walking behind Him and asked, “What do you seek?” That is the question God is asking each of us. Everyone on this planet is seeking something. We all desire in some way to understand the meaning of our lives, why we are here, and what we are supposed to do. Everyone you love and care about faces the same questions.
There is no better gift you can offer them than to do as Andrew did and point them toward the Giver of life, Jesus, who proclaimed, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).
It’s not always easy to know what to say, to speak up to friends, neighbors, co-workers, and family. It can be uncomfortable and difficult.
The best advice I can give you is: pray, read the Word, be in fellowship with other believers, and then pray some more! All that will help you grow in your relationship with the Lord and will cause your faith and love for God to overflow and spill out to other people.
Then, sharing your faith will be led by the Spirit and the love God gives you for others.“He who can tell men what God has done for his soul is the likeliest to bring their souls to God.” —Robert Leighton
