Breaking Barriers: Jonah Finds His Voice

Chapter 18 - 1 Peter 3:15

As I sat at my desk on that Tuesday afternoon, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I began to pray, asking God for wisdom and guidance as I prepared my message for the youth night.

"Lord, I pray that you would be with me as I prepare this message for the young people in our congregation. Help me to communicate your truth in a way that will inspire and encourage them to stand up for their faith. I ask for your help in making this a night that will have a lasting impact on their lives."

I remembered a time when I was first persecuted for my faith. The scene played out in my mind like a movie. I was young and inexperienced in defending my faith, and I was unable to find the right words to say. I felt ashamed and defeated, and I struggled with feelings of fear and inadequacy.

I remember the day vividly, it was during lunchtime in high school and I was sitting with my friends at the cafeteria. Suddenly, one of my classmates, an atheist, approached our table and started to ridicule my beliefs.

"Hey Marco, still believe in fairy tales?" he said, mockingly.

"It's not a fairy tale, it's my faith," I replied, feeling uneasy.

My classmates started to laugh and join in on the teasing, making fun of my beliefs. I didn't know how to defend my faith and I felt ashamed and defeated.

"I don't get why you still believe in that stuff, it's so outdated," the classmate said.

I tried to think of something to say, but I was at a loss for words. I felt like I was stuck in a hole with no way out.

"Come on Marco, you're smarter than that. Don't you know that science has proven that there's no such thing as a God?" the classmate continued.

My friends tried to change the subject, but the classmate wouldn't let it go. As the teasing continued, I felt like I was being pulled under by a strong current.

However, in that moment, I realized the importance of being prepared to defend my faith. I made a promise to myself that I would study the Bible and learn how to defend my beliefs. And that's exactly what I did.

As I was praying, I felt led to look up a verse in the Bible. That's when I came across 1 Peter 3:15: "But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you."

I continued to meditate on this verse, asking the Holy Spirit to reveal to me the full meaning of this passage.

But then, I remembered another verse that I had studied many years ago. It was from the book of Matthew, chapter 10, verse 28: "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell." This verse gave me strength and comfort in those difficult times, and it continued to encourage me even now.

With these verses in mind, I began to form the structure of my sermon. I came up with three points that I wanted to make: the importance of knowing what we believe, the courage to stand up for our faith, and the fear of God that should guide our hearts and actions. I was so inspired and passionate about this message, and I felt a fire within me to deliver it with all my heart.

As I stand in front of the mirror, I take a deep breath and close my eyes. I've been feeling a sense of nervousness and uncertainty about my preaching for tomorrow's youth night. I know what the message is that I want to share, but I'm not sure how to deliver it in a way that will truly impact the young people in our congregation.

I begin to pray, asking for guidance from the Holy Spirit. "Lord, I need your help. I want to share your truth with these young people, but I don't want it to just come from my own understanding. I want it to be a message straight from you. Fill me with your wisdom and insight, and give me the words to say."

As I open my eyes and look into the mirror, I start to speak. At first, my words are halting and uncertain. But as I continue to speak, I feel a sense of peace and clarity wash over me. It's as if the Holy Spirit is speaking through me, and I am just a vessel for his message.

"Good evening everyone, welcome to this Back to School Evangelistic Youth event. It's great to see so many of you here tonight, ready to stand up in faith. I'm feeling a bit nervous and unsure about what to say. Let's see, where do I start?"

"In this world we live in, it can be challenging to hold on to our beliefs and principles, especially when faced with opposition. But as Christians, we are called to be a light, to let our light shine before others. Hmm, I want to inspire and encourage these young people, but how do I do that?"

"I know, I want to challenge them to be bold and courageous in their faith, to stand up for what is right and not be ashamed of the gospel. That's it! Yes, that's what I want to say. Let me think, how can I make this message even more impactful?"

"Ah, I've got it! I'll have the young people share their own experiences, how they've stood up for their faith. Yes, that will be a great way to encourage others. It'll show them that they're not alone and that it's possible to be bold and brave in their faith."

"Okay, let's see. So far, I have the opening, the challenge to be bold and courageous, and the sharing of experiences. What else do I want to say? Oh, I want to remind them of the purpose of standing up for their faith, that it's not just about making a difference in the lives of others, but also experiencing the fullness of life that God has for us."

"And, of course, I want to end with a prayer, asking God to give us the courage and strength to stand up for our faith, even in the face of challenges and opposition. To be a light in this world and bring glory to his name."

"Okay, I think that's it. I feel better now. I have a clear direction on what I want to say. Let's see how it goes tomorrow night."

I was deep in thought, trying to put together the perfect message for tomorrow's Youth Night. I had a fire burning within me, and I was eager to share what the Lord had placed on my heart with the youth. Just as I was getting into the zone, the door to my office burst open and in walked Pastor Jacob.

"Marco! What's going on in here? You look like you're about to save the world or something," he said with a playful grin.

"Ha ha, very funny, Jacob," I replied with a smile. "I'm just preparing for tomorrow's Youth Night. I want to make sure I have the right words to share with the kids."

Pastor Jacob nodded, still wearing his mischievous grin. "Well, I have faith that you'll knock their socks off. You always do, Marco. You have a way of reaching those young hearts."

I couldn't help but laugh at his teasing. "Thanks, Jacob. I appreciate the vote of confidence,"

As we chatted, Pastor Jacob suddenly remembered my younger brother. "Hey Marco, I just remembered. How's your little bro doing?" he asked with a playful tone.

"He's going through some personal stuff right now," I replied with a heavy heart. "I'm just praying for him and hoping that he'll turn to the Lord for guidance and comfort."

Pastor Jacob placed a comforting hand on my shoulder and said, "I'll be praying for your family, Marco. You're all in my thoughts and prayers."

"Thanks, Pastor. So, I heard you're going on a camping trip with your family this weekend?" I asked, trying to change the subject.

"Yes, we're heading to the lake two towns over. It's going to be a great time to recharge and spend time with each other," Pastor Jacob replied with a grin.

"That sounds like so much fun. Make sure you all enjoy it to the fullest," I said with a smile.

"Don't worry, we will," Pastor Jacob said with a laugh. "But don't forget, if you need anything, I'm just a phone call away."

With that, Pastor Jacob left my office, and I was left to think about my brother. I felt so sad that I wasn't able to help him, especially with his faith. I prayed for him and for the youth who would be attending tomorrow's Youth Night, asking the Lord to use my sermon to impact their hearts and minds.

As I continued to pray, I felt a peace wash over me. I knew that the Lord was in control and that everything would work out for His glory. I was filled with hope and confidence as I prepared to share my message of Standing Up for Our Faith.