There are many reasons we might struggle to have an answer for these situations. Maybe, like me, we feel embarrassed and inarticulate, scared of offending our loved ones or the risk of changing the atmosphere. Perhaps we have been scalded in the past by hostile responses to our faith. What if we mess up, say the worst possible thing, and put someone off from finding out more about Jesus? 

The following post is from guest author Fiona Mackay. Originally from the Isle of Skye, Fiona lives and works as an English tutor in Inverness, Scotland, along with her photographer husband, Roddy, and their three children. Her heart is for sharing her creative enthusiasm in both Shakespeare and local women’s ministry.

“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).

How prepared are we to share what we believe with those around us? Do we have a respectful, gentle answer to explain the hope that we have?

Recently, when chatting with a friend, deep in conversation about the juggle struggle of life with work, health, finances, and family, she sighed and said, “We work to live and live to work – but, at the end of the day, what’s it really all about?” 

I paused, my mind in a state of panic. My friend – someone who, as far as I know, does not share my faith – was asking this profound, soul-searching question about the meaning of life. What hope could I offer her? I found I simply could not get a coherent answer together before the conversation moved on to other topics, another cup of tea, the weather.

It reminded me of a moment in the TV show The West Wing, where fictional White House Press Secretary CJ Cregg celebrates as the Majority Leader is asked ‘The Question’ – why does he want to be President? – and floundered in his response. However, CJ’s glee at the opposition’s lack of preparation is quickly quashed as she discovers that their own side, the Government, does not actually seem to have an answer of its own.

Read More