Visible Hope

First Peter 3:15 tells us that we will give an account to others for the hope that is in us. Before we can give an account, however, we should display a hope that is visible for everyone to see.

How do we make our hope visible? In our intentional interactions at work, within our families, or out in our communities, we make sure that the joy we have in Jesus is known. God calls us to work for him and sets us apart; this should be evident in how we talk, how we live our lives, and even in our work ethic.

We might think that the only way we showcase our hope is in how we talk about our faith. But visible hope is evident in believers even when we are silent — we actually make a gospel presentation. Going out of our way to serve others, appreciate others, and pray for others are just a few of many ways our hope can become visible.

For some it may take a while, too. As we quietly appreciate and serve others without any strings attached, we build credibility. We may even need to restore trust with coworkers, which will add to the time necessary.

It’s also important for us to know that our hope won’t be visible to everyone. To some, we will probably appear strange or look like we're trying to get ahead. As believers, we need to trust God with how others interpret our actions. Our boss Jesus had the same experience during his time of ministry. For those that show a genuine curiosity in what makes us different, we can share with them that the hope they see comes from how Jesus has made a difference in our lives. Even if no one notices, we live every day like we believe in the God of all. Our hope is still on display.

Challenge yourself to serve others quietly today and trust the Holy Spirit to make your hope visible to everyone you interact with.