Have you ever seen something beautiful and awe inspiring, and later when you’re trying to describe it to someone who wasn’t there at the time you just feel at a loss for words? It was deep and meaningful. It made you feel something in the depths of your soul. And after trying to convey that after the fact you throw your hands up in exasperation and say, “I guess you had to be there.”
I think this is a trap we fall into sometimes when people ask us about our faith. In 1 Peter 3:14-16 it says, “14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.”
As you go about trying to live the Christian life, there should be hints other people see that clue them into the fact that you’re living for something bigger. Maybe they see it in the way you treat people. Maybe they see it in the choices you make when you have the opportunity to be selfish or self-serving. Wherever it pops up, the people around you take notice of the ways you don’t just fall into the easy path.
Phrases like “prepared to make a defense” make us nervous—like we need to have doctoral dissertations on the tips of our tongues. We want to throw up our hands and say, “I guess you had to be there.” When people just want to hear your story, and how your faith has made an impact on your life.
We are called to live differently. So, live in hope, live in peace, live in a way that makes people ask questions.