Be Sharp
BE SHARP
Read Psalm 119:97-104.
Maria climbed slowly into the car. “Hi, honey,” said her dad. “It sure was a beautiful day for your picnic.”
“Yeah,” mumbled Maria.
“Did you have a good time?” Dad asked.
“Oh, sure,” she answered after a moment of silence.
Dad glanced at her curiously. “You don’t sound very happy. What’s wrong?”
“Oh, Dad,” moaned Maria, “I blew it! While we were on the swing, Jenna asked me about being a Christian, and I couldn’t answer her questions very well.”
“I see,” Dad said thoughtfully. As they pulled in to the driveway, he spoke again. “I’ve got something in the garage I want to show you.”
“All right,” Maria agreed glumly.
Dad walked to his workbench and handed Maria a knife and a piece of wood. “Here,” he said. “This is one of my wood-carving knives. Would you cut this stick in half for me, please?”
Maria tried to do as he directed. “I can’t,” she complained. “It’s dull!”
“You’re right,” agreed Dad. “It’s been away from the sharpener a long time. This knife has to be sharpened often to be of much use. And if we want God to be able to use us, we have to be ‘sharpened’ by spending time with Him.”
Maria looked from her dad to the knife. “You gave me a dull knife on purpose, didn’t you, Dad?” she asked. “You wanted me to see that I’m like this knife—I’m dull! You’re right, too. I haven’t been reading my Bible very often or even praying for my friends. I hope I’ll be sharper the next time Jenna asks questions.”
HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you faithful in spending time with the Lord and studying His Word? Are you ready to answer when someone asks you questions about God? If not, it’s time to sharpen up.
TO MEMORIZE:
If someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.
1 Peter 3:15
BE READY TO WITNESS.
From the book
