Occupation: Ambassador
by Marilyn Ehle
**What are the characteristics of an ambassador that we all admire? How many of our own lives are filled with these qualities? http://thelife.com/study/fruitofspirit.html
“God…gave us the ministry of reconciliation…He has committed to us the message of reconciliation…We are Christ’s ambassadors…” (2 Corinthians 5:20).
Imagine that your long flight is over and you wearily stand in the snake-like Visa Control line. You observe cultural differences even before you cross the actual border: drab clothing, unsmiling faces, unfamiliar smells. The uniformed and armed government officials you spot on the perimeter of the crowd only increase your growing uneasiness. You now wonder about all the information you wrote on your visa application. These officials now know your home address, workplace phone number, and many details of your life at home.
You are one of a group of educators coming to a country that has long been unfriendly to Western ideas, yet you have been invited to participate in a seminar that will introduce new instructional techniques to local teachers. The host country is aware that you are Christian and that what you teach will have at its base morals and ethics found in the Christian faith.
While you attempt to make your face an unreadable mask, your heartbeat increases as you step up to the glassed-in booth where a young, but stern, official reaches for your passport. Feeling as though a smile and friendly word might help the process, you say the one word of greeting you know in the national language, but the official merely glances at you and then peers in amazement at the passport: “Occupation: Ambassador.”
“Ambassador?” he queries with scorn. He can already see that you are not carrying the necessary diplomatic papers but are entering his country with only the normal tourist documents. What now?
This is not a description of an actual occurrence. We know that only authorized people can claim to be “ambassadors” in the governmental sense. And yet as citizens of the Kingdom of God, we are called to such an important post. The Apostle Paul writes that God Himself has appointed us to this position. Our job description includes faithfully carrying out the assignment: both the message and ministry of reconciliation.
I don’t advise writing the term “ambassador” on your visa papers, but it is important to make sure it is written within our hearts.
~Lord, I don’t have the earthly qualifications for the post of ambassador, but thank you for appointing me to that position in Your Kingdom. Help me faithfully learn about the culture where I live so I can best represent You and Your values.
Questions: What qualifications must an ambassador possess? (Think about representing your country in another culture. What would you have to learn about the culture, people, etc? What qualifications should a “spiritual” ambassador possess?
About the Author: http://talk.thelife.com/experience/devotionalforwomen/authors/marilyn-ehle/
Marilyn,
Miss you too. I’ll try to catch up using the links when a get a few minutes tomorrow. Tonight we have a big evening at church….one of our youth ministers is celebrating 30 years in youth ministry. What an ambassador he is!!! Many, many souls have come to know Jesus through his ministry. I pray that as you said Marilyn “Serving Him by serving others, in His Name” will be my focus in the coming days. Love to you all from here. Praying for all the needs here also…DonnaL
As God is love, I think that one of the most definitive characteristics of our being His ‘spiritual’ ambassadors is His love being expressed through us! This agape love is unconditional and forgiving. It seeks out the best interests of others, often sacrificing self willingly, lovingly. Serving Him by serving others, in His Name.
DonnaL, sure do miss you around here! Sorry to hear that you haven’t been getting the devotionals! Your love and spiritual wisdom are such blessings to us! Hope all is going well on your side of the globe! :)
Andi; I agree with your comment, I had to read the devotion twice and it made me think hard about the great honor we have each been handed, he ask each of us to be HIS ambassadors, and I have thought about how many times I have failed in that department….I am so thankful he forgives.
Hope all you girls are doing well, I haven’t had alot of time to get to the computer latley, so I am trying to catch up on the devotions. Myself and some of the women from the church went last weekend to see Joyce Myers in IN. and had a great time, she talked about contentment, and trusting God , my sister went and I can see God working in her life, she came home a diffrent person!!PTL!! Hope each of you have a blessed night!
andi,
i too, found this devotional to be quite a soul searching one. it’s unlikely that i will have such a dramatic impact on others like that as an ambassador in God’s kingdom, but my willingness will enable me to inspire others as others have inspired me until I am called to do otherwise. i am humbled to be a disciple of God, the gratitude i feel each day sometimes overwhelms me. God has given me everything and i owe Him my praise
good devotional today
I haven’t been receiving the devotional since tuesday..Not sure what is wrong.
forgot to click on the folowup comments mark
This is heady food for thot. It is a word to ponder and cherish w/no quick answer. Thank you for this loving challenge to us to understand more deeply our role on this earth in and thru HIM; all for HIS honour & glory alone.