“…Always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you…” That is the admonition of 1 Peter 3:15. Indeed, I am ready. I have even been called “the Bible answer man”. I came to faith in Christ as an adult, and I have considered His claims very carefully. I know what I believe and why. I am ready to give a defense to everyone who asks me. The trouble is that not everyone is asking. In fact, hardly anyone. Since my conversion, probably everyone who has spent time with me has known that I am a Christian. I don’t think that I’m hiding my lamp under a basket; it just seems that no one asks me a reason for the hope that I have in Christ.

I suspect that the Apostle Paul had a similar experience. His reputation as a believer preceded him most everywhere that he went. Still, he asked fellow believers to pray for himself and his missionary companions “that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.” (Col. 4:3,4) No doubt, the open door that Paul desired was not a door to let others in – that would be his own door. The open door that he asked others to pray for was a door through which he could enter into the lives of others, bringing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I am ready to give an answer. However, I tend to be a bit shy and socially awkward. I need to trust that God can open doors of opportunity for me to speak what I ought to speak. I must dismiss the fact that I am not a captivating conversationalist; knowing that God uses the weak things to work His wonders (1 Cor. 1:27). Please pray for me, that God would open to me a door for the Word, and speak as I ought to. I will do the same for you.

Grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word. – Acts 4:29