Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope… (1 Peter 3:15)
Easter is a season of joy and hope. During Lent I was focused on allowing God to bring me to healing in a couple of areas, but as Easter approached I felt Him moving me away from that work and toward joy and hope. I think He knew I needed a break from the emotional work that healing requires. In turn, this Easter season has been one of real hope and strength for me. Resting in God’s promises and goodness as the source of my strength (see Ephesians 6:10) is one of the reasons for my hope.
St. Peter exhorts us in our second reading to “always be ready” to share the source of our hope. One idea for being ready is to reflect on and then write down what it is about your faith that brings you hope. For example, I have hope in God because He has blessed me and carried me past my struggles with PTSD, past sinfulness, and difficult extended family situations. When I reflect on the way Jesus, my Good Shepherd, has rescued and healed me, I can’t help but feel hopeful about the future.
I’ve found that by being crystal clear about my own personal story of hope, I can better communicate it to others. Some questions to get you started: how has Christ worked in your life in the past? How is He working in your life today? How has Christ touched your heart? How have you grown in love for Him and other people because you seek to follow Him? How is your life different because you choose to be His disciple?
What words of your heart come up that you would like to share with others about your experiences with the Holy Spirit? Have you experienced joy, sorrow, desire, aversion, love, hate, anger, hope, or despair in your walk with God? All your experiences add up to your own sacred story to share that speaks to God’s goodness, mercy, and love. This “reason for hope” shouldn’t be a script you follow when speaking to others, but rather a touchstone for yourself. When you know the reason for your hope in Christ, it becomes easier to share this hope with others.
Loving Father, You are the source of my hope, strength, and joy. Help me be prepared to share my story with others.