Witness!

“Always be ready to make your defence to anyone who demands from you an account of the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame.” (I Peter 3:15b-16)  In the epistle lesson for this week we again see the author’s assumption that Christians will face difficulty not in spite of, but because of their faith.  And so we are called to be diligent, ready to defend our hope…that which makes us different.  As United Methodists, we promise to support the church in a number of ways.  Several years ago, we added another way beyond our prayers, gifts and service.  We now promise to offer our witness.  That is, we support the church through giving an “account of the hope within us.”  You and I are called to be ready to share the difference that Jesus has made and is making in our lives.  It is a little remembered fact that among the early Methodists, as many people initially came to faith through the witness of ordinary folks as through the preaching of the clergy.  So, are you ready?