“We finally got a new carburetor in our van—at least it was still covered by warranty,” my friend said. “This is the third one we’ve had to put in—but only the first on this van. I don’t know what we’re doing wrong. We’re driving it correctly…we’re getting it serviced on time…maybe the Lord is waiting for me to give the Gospel to the mechanics!” We both laughed at our weird idea of what that might look like…

“OK you car guys…stop what you’re doing and listen! I’m tired of dealing with carburetors! The Lord is not going to give up on my car until I talk to you about Him! I’m giving each of you a Gospel of John, and I want you to read it by the time the carburetor is in! When I get back, we’ll talk about it!”

Think so? Um-m-m….probably not the best idea. You might roll out of there with more car problems than you had when you went in. Though the Lord won’t hit us over the head with a carburetor, we never know what He will use to get our attention, or what we’ll be doing when it’s time to speak up for Him. Sometimes, we worry that we may not take that opportunity to speak up. Lord, I’m so adept at opening my mouth so wide and so often for the wrong thing, that there’s even room for my foot. Why, then, am I often silent when I should be giving the good news? Help my actions, my reactions, my words, my living, make someone say, “Hey—you seem to have a hope even when things are hopeless. What makes you that way?” Then, help me to be ready to answer-- “Wow—I was hoping you’d ask! Do you have a minute?”
1 Peter 3:15