When I finally figured out what I wanted to BE when I grew up – an ambassador for Christ – it changed everything. But what does that really mean? How do we effectively represent Christ in our world?
First, we need to understand our role. An ambassador doesn’t represent themselves; they represent their sender. As Christ’s ambassadors, we’re not here to promote our own agenda, but His.
Communication is crucial. Just like I learned to speak the language of business, we need to learn to communicate God’s love in ways people can understand. Sometimes that means less preaching and more listening.
Building relationships is key. Remember how I used to take church staff members to lunch? Those relationships opened doors for ministry. People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.
We need to be bridge-builders. In a world that’s increasingly divided, we’re called to be peacemakers, to connect people to God and to each other.
Integrity matters. As ambassadors, we need to walk the talk. Our lives should reflect the message we’re sharing.
Lastly, we need to be prepared. Just as I studied to understand different business markets, we need to study God’s Word and be ready to share the hope we have.
Being an effective ambassador for Christ isn’t always easy, but it’s the highest calling we can have. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about being authentic and pointing others to the perfect One we represent.
Remember, folks, we might be the only Bible some people ever read. Let’s make sure we’re telling a story worth reading.