Recently I have been drawn to the word Ambassador. What does it mean? Well according to Google an Ambassador is a noun; "A person who acts as a representative or promoter of a specified activity. e.g. the French ambassador to Portugal"
Three key words:
Representative: a person chosen or appointed to act or speak for another or others, in particular.
Promoter: a person or thing that promotes something, in particular.
Specified Activity: clearly identified or defined thing that a person or group does or has done.
In Ephesians 6:19-20 NKJV Paul says "19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak."
Paul is asking for grace to speak the truth of who he is. I am confident that Paul is not the only person in this boat. Many times I have seen things that I should have spoken up about, but I am silenced because I get scared of what may come as a result. Don't we all do this? Should we not speak the truth of who we are because of fear? Jesus says in Matthew 10:28 NIV "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell."
I am an Ambassador of Christ! (2 Corinthians 5:20)
Since I have been risen with Christ it is my responsibility to seek the things that are in the same place as Christ is! (Colossians 3:1-25)
Being an Ambassador involves me promoting the activities of my home country. Being an Ambassador involves me representing the clearly defined agenda (reconciling the world back to God) of my home country. My home country is Heaven, where God sits, FYI!
It is tough to be an Ambassador of Heaven! Most times it involves disagreeing with those you love; it involves being the one left alone. But take solace in the fact that Jesus said in Matthew 10:35-39
35 For I have come to ‘set[j]a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’;36 and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’37 He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.
After reading this again I had a mini conversation with Jesus and here's how it went...
Me: That is not much of a comfort, Lord Jesus! Jesus: But neither is this life. Would you rather be well accepted in this fleeting life that today is and tomorrow isn't? Or would you rather be accepted by my father and I for the rest of eternity? Me: You know I chose you, Jesus! Jesus: Seek me first. Trust me, I will exceed your expectations.
It may not be that easy for you to see, but I promise you that the Creator of the entire galaxy has a much better plan for me than my three-pound brain can comprehend.
So... Yes, I need strength daily to be a true Ambassador! I need strength daily to represent the home from which I belong.
PRAYER
Lord, I ask for grace like Paul did to open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador! Empower me daily to represent where I come from in truth and sincerity, and most importantly, in Love! In Jesus' name I pray! Amen!
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