Open Hearts, Open Lives

Open Hearts, Open Lives

You must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it.

1 Peter 3:15

Every year millions of tourists add a new destination to their summer vacation travels. It’s not the Grand Canyon or Yellowstone but Amish country. Amish friends have told me many stories about tourists who behave as if the Amish are characters in a play rather than real people living out their lives. Here is one woman’s point of view:

To Linda, personal privacy is an important consideration. She knows that who she is and how she lives is an increasing curiosity. Visitors stream into Lancaster County to learn about the Amish. Many do not believe what they see, sometimes thinking they have stumbled into another version of Colonial Williamsburg. So they ask questions, sometimes thinking they are interrupting a costumed interpreter, not a real-life person with work to do and places to go. Many visitors know better but still cannot help themselves.

Who are you?

How do you live?

What can you tell us about yourself?

Because Linda likes to talk to people and enjoys making new friends, she often opens herself to the questioners. And finds it frustrating. For even a bit of openness means she may be inundated with requests.

Do you ever feel like Linda? When you live differently from others—when others see your peace and joy—people will want to know about that. God’s Word says we should always be ready to explain our hope. And Colossians 4:6 says, “Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.”

Do you want your life to have an impact? You don’t need to travel the world to make that happen. Sometimes God brings the right person—with the right questions—right to your backyard.

Dear heavenly Father, words have power. Give me words that speak truth of You, and may the impact of my life extend further than I ever imagined possible.