Gatorade and Jesus

I was in Louisville a couple of weeks ago when I saw something that completely impressed me. We were getting on the on ramp for the Watterson in the middle of a ton of construction. Traffic was moving at a snail's pace. People were impatient. Out in the middle of it all was a police officer, standing in the heat, trying to maintain calm in the midst of the frustration of so many drivers. As we approached the officer, a truck next to the officer rolled down his window and reached towards the officer with an orange Gatorade, handed it to him, and went on his way. 

I was impressed. In reality, it wasn't a big gesture. He didn't hand him $1,000 or a Mediterranean cruise, it was simply a Gatorade. My first thought was, "Who carries extra Gatorade with them?" My second thought was "What a great idea!"

I am going to presume some things on the driver of this truck. I don't know him/her. I don't know their motives. I don't know what they said to the officer. What I do know is that they were ready. They were prepared; in the event that they saw a need they could meet it. 

I wanted to get out of the traffic. I wanted to drive above the speed limit. I wanted to make the other stops we needed to make and get home. I I I. My thoughts and attitudes were about me and what I wanted. I wasn't prepared to let anyone else's needs interfere with me. Then, in a moment of conviction I was reminded of 1Peter 3:15:

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. 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, NIV)

Am I prepared at any given moment to explain why I have hope in Jesus Christ? 

Maybe Gatorade isn't exactly sharing your faith, but it certainly made me question why that driver did it. I don't know whether he was a Christian or not, but I have a hunch, if he was, he would be be prepared to give an answer to the reason he carried extra Gatorade. So the question for you and I today is: Are you prepared?