. . . Instead sanctify Messiah as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you . . . 1 Peter 3:15, TLV
Love Speaks Even Without Words. Have you ever been around a new parent or someone in love? They radiate joy and love and excitement. Who doesn’t want to be near those who have found miracles in their life.
For someone to ask about our faith, they must see evidence of it. Not because we spout Bible passages or doctrine, but because we have been changed in such a way that is intriguing to them. That makes them hungry and thirsty to know more.
What is our hope as a believer? Can we explain it? Not in “Christian-ese” but in our personal reality? How were we redeemed? Profoundly or sweetly or peacefully?
Each of us has a story that can impact the heart of another. Not by cleverness, but by true love. Love that radiates from us.
Who wouldn’t be drawn to that?
How do we prepare ourselves?
As a writer, I am thrown into situations where publishers ask what I 
am writing. Writers are strongly encouraged to memorize an “elevator pitch.” In other words, be able to give a brief synopsis in the time it takes to go from one floor to another in an elevator.
The only way I can do this is to:
- know the essence — the theme — of my story so well, I can tell it in about 50 words.
- write it down and memorize it, so that it comes naturally.
- be flexible to the circumstances — know what that editor needs or wants to publish.
Then, if they are interested in learning more, they will ask.
So be ready with your redemption story — your “elevator pitch.” Be ready to listen and answer any sincere questions of a searching soul. Listen to the Holy Spirit who will guide us in sometimes profound way. Because Jesus redeemed and answered us.
Hanukkah: Tonight, we light the seventh candle. The second to the last. By now the special ceremonial oil for the Temple would almost be ready. Lighting the Temple menorah would be a great celebration because the Jewish people could rededicate God’s Temple. Perhaps today—whether we light the candles or not—we could ponder the meaning of rededication. There is always an area of our heart that could use some cleaning and rededication. I have it on good authority, the Father loves it when we seek to do such things. Now, that doesn’t mean He loves us more because we do this, He couldn’t love us more—or less. Think about it.
