Ambassadors
“... Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you as aprophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5
Insight
What was I born to do?
Many of us may have wrestled with this question. All the possibilities can bring a heavy dose of stress and pressure. But as we go through life, we learn which pursuits we should consider and which ones we should cross off the list.
I have learned that I have a desire to write and teach, and I am fortunate enough to find others who believe the same. I also know that if I want to clear out a room, I should sing…there is strong evidence to support that singing is not my appointedpursuit.
If we could step into Jeremiah’s shoes when the Lord spoke the above words, we would feel a little tension. Jeremiahdiscovered that he was appointed to be a prophet to the nation. By today’s standards this would be an intimidating call; in Jeremiah’s day, it was most certainly a call that could lead to his death.
But the Lord knew he needed someone to be a voice to a rebellious nation. What I love most about the Lord calling Jeremiah to be a prophet is that Jeremiah was no one special. In other words, Jeremiah did not have a Divinity degree, hedid not teach Starting Point every year, nor did he even know the New Testament (it did not even exist!). Yet, the Lord called him to be a voice to a people who needed to hear the truth of the Lord.
Jeremiah was given a special role by the Lord, and by the authority that the Lord entrusted to him, he was able to be thevoice the people needed. While the term prophet is not used often in our world today, Paul was able to capture a similar rolefor us all: ambassador.
All Christ followers might not consider themselves a prophet, but Paul made it clear that we are all ambassadors; and the responsibility is the same: be a voice. Here is what Paul said:
“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf ofChrist, be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20).
The words from Paul help answer the question we started with today. You were born to point people towards Jesus. As an ambassador, everything you do, say, and mirror tells people what you believe about Jesus. The stakes are incredibly highfor those of who answer the call to be Christ’s ambassador. We believe the good news of how Jesus saved us, redeemed us,and called us to a new way of life. But if people are hearing, or seeing, something other than good news about Jesus, wemust check our representation.
Once people know we are Christ followers, people will associate everything about us as a reflection of Jesus. Our hope is that we will reflect him as the world needs as we continue to look to him. The more you see him, the more like him you will become (1 John 3). The more like him you become, the better people can see Jesus through your life.
So, let's wrestle with a new question: as an ambassador, what are people learning about Jesus from your life? If thisquestion makes you feel uncomfortable, join the club. But this question is not meant to put stress and pressure on you, rather it serves as a reminder that your eyes must be fixed on Jesus to be an ambassador.
Create a rhythm every day to fix your eyes on Jesus. Worship him, read about him, talk to him, listen to trustworthysources about him. Every moment you fix your eyes on him, you reflect him. And every time you reflect him, someone elsewill see/hear him and you can invest your voice into the Kingdom.
Reflection
Who is your life an ambassador for?
Who might catch a glimpse of Jesus in your life by fixing your eyes on him every day?
Prayer
Father, what an undeserved opportunity to be your ambassador. Surely, it is easy to think that someone else would be bettersuited for this, yet you chose me. I pray that I would get caught up in staring at you and becoming like you. I know that mylife is a reflection of you, and I pray that others would get a glimpse of you. Thank you for giving me a voice for you, and Ipray in your name, Amen.
Port City writer Davy Nance wrote today’s devotional.