2 Corinthians 5:20 (NIV): “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.”
I have lived in five different countries for significant periods of time: South Korea, Italy, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Germany. Each time I was away from the United States I was very aware that I was a foreigner. I didn’t speak the native language. The food was different. The customs and practices were outside of my “normal.” I remember attending a church in Seoul, South Korea that would probably hold about 10,000 Americans. There were probably 25,000 South Koreans. Their culture allowed them to be much closer together. I could give examples from each country where I basically felt like an outsider.
The above verse challenges me that I am an ambassador for Christ. Being an earthly ambassador means a number of things. An ambassador is an official acting as a representative of a nation. They are sent to a foreign land and the ambassador’s role is to reflect the official position of the sovereign body that gave him authority. They are paid by the sending country and they maintain their citizenship with the sending country.
Philippians 3:20 reminds me that my citizenship is in heaven. As ambassadors for Christ, I represent Jesus wherever I am. In fact, I have been an ambassador for Christ every time I have lived overseas. More importantly, I am an ambassador for Christ here and now in Kansas. Ultimately, Kansas is simply my temporary home. My permanent home is in heaven with Jesus where He has gone to prepare a place for me.
Seeing myself as an ambassador for Christ allows me to see every circumstance, no matter how good or bad that circumstance is, as temporary. My permanent home awaits me.
Prayer: Jesus, may I represent You in the best way here and now. I want to take my role of being Your ambassador seriously. May others know and understand Your thoughts as I lovingly communicate with them.
