TITLE: Be Prepared By Piper Harding 01/07/08 |
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Be Prepared
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 1 Peter 3:15
On the stage is a guy sitting on a bench reading his bible. He's in his twenties.
A woman around his age is walking quickly by. She glances at him and then abruptly stops. She
back tracks until she's about even with him. She bends down and looks closely at what he's reading. The guy now notices that there is a woman starring at his book and slowly pulls the book down while
starring at her.
Woman-(embarrassed) Oh, hi. What are you reading?
Man(thinks it's quite obvious but is kind) The bible.
Woman-Really?
Man-Yes.
Woman (sits down next to him) Why are you reading the bible in a park?
Man-Why not?
Woman-You just answered my question with a question and that really bugs me.
(voice over).Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.
Man-(acknowledging the voice but not obviously)Oh right. (now speaking to the woman)I'm reading my bible in the park because I'm on my lunch break and this is where I usually sit and read my bible.
Voice Over-You can do better than that.
Man-(talking to the voice again) Alright, I'll try. (now to the woman)I like to know what God says to me on a day to day basis.
Woman-(we see on her face that she thinks it's an odd thing to do but she doesn't say anything)I've never seen you sitting here before.
Man-I've seen you walk by here many times.
Woman-I guess I didn't see you because I'm always in a hurry and probably didn't even look
in your direction when I walked by.
Man-You always seem like you're in quite a hurry.
Woman-(changing the subject)I don't read the bible. I haven't since I was a kid.
Man-Why did you stop?
Woman-It just isn't relevant to today's world.
Man-(getting a bit defensive but not overly)Not relevant to today's world?!
Voice Over-But do this with gentleness and respect...
Man-(clears his throat) If you don't mind me asking,why do you think that?
Woman-When I was in Sunday School I remember reading the story of Noah and the ark. What in the world does that have to do with me today?
Man-Do you really want an answer?
Woman-(looking at him incredulously) Do you have one?
Man-I can tell you how it's relevant to your life today and what we can learn about God from Noah.
Woman-(skeptical) Go ahead. I gotta hear this.
Man-Noah was a man that loved God and obeyed Him and His ways. God blessed Him
because of this. Noah also listened to God and followed His direction. If Noah wouldn't have, what would have happened?
Woman-(thinking) Um....he would have drowned?
Man-Exactly. God speaks to us every day and He wants us to listen. But if we're too busy
doing our own thing then we're not able to hear Him and His direction. So what do we do? We drown.
Woman-(contemplating this) I never thought of it that way. To me it was only a story.
Man-Are you drowning?
Woman-In my life you mean?
Man-(nods yes)
Woman-(nods 'yes' too)
Man-God can save you just like he saved Noah and just like he saved me.
Woman-(softly on the verge of tears)How?
Man-Slow down and listen to Him speak to you. Seek His direction daily and ask Him to
forgive your sins and live in your heart and be the leader of your life.
Woman-Is that what you do?
Man-I certainly try. I don't always do the right thing but he does correct me and encourage me when I listen and seek his direction.
Woman-But why would he want me? I haven't given Him the time of day since I was small.
Man-He wants you because He loves you and He created you. He's waiting for you to come
back to Him and to trust Him.
Woman-(pauses, thinks about what he said) I don't think it was a mistake that I saw you today.
Man-I don't think it was either.
Woman-I need a bible. I'll have to buy one.
Man(hands her his bible)
Woman-Oh no, I can't take your bible.
Man-You know where I sit every day. Just borrow it until you're able to get your own.
Woman-(touched by this) Thank you....for the bible and for talking to me.
Man-You're welcome.
Woman-(standing up) I have to get going...I'm...um...late. But that's alright. There's a reason I slowed down today, right?
Man-Right
Woman-Goodbye and thanks again.
Man-You're welcome. Bye.
(he watches until she is out of sight. He then says a soft 'thank you' to God before reaching into his bag and pulling out another bible. He continues to read where he left off.
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