“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.” 2 Corinthians 5:20 NIV
Not long into my freshman year of college, I found myself in an auditorium surrounded by many tables with flashy billboards. Each set-up represented a different student led club that was offered through the university and it seemed as though there was a club for everything, from nurses to business majors, runners to artists, and speakers to writers. You name it, and it was likely there. And if it didn’t yet exist, you could take the steps to start your specialized group. Even through the many options, there was one club that had caught my eye and that I was especially eager to become a part of; the international ambassadors.
Before the beginning of a new semester, an international ambassador would be paired with a new incoming international student. The ambassador served to smooth out the new student’s transition to life in the United States. Starting college can be stressful, in and of itself. Could you imagine starting your freshman year in a different country where you know nobody, you aren’t familiar with the everyday culture, and the primary language is not that of your own?! Oh, and you’re only 19 or 20 years old. That’s a lot of change in a very short amount of time.
From weeks before the school year, through the student’s arrival to the United States, the first weeks of class, and the rest of the semester, the international ambassador was to be available to questions, concerns, coffee breaks, and even grocery runs if needed. The position required a great amount of intentionality, listening skills, and awareness to the needs of others. Often, the coordinator would match the ambassador and the student based on their similarities, such as playing a sport or pursuing the same degree. It truly was an amazing program, and it didn’t take long for me to become involved.
Throughout college, I had the opportunity to meet so many people from so many walks of life. Honestly, I look back now and wish I had taken the time to be even more involved and meet even more people, but it was an incredible experience nonetheless and it left me with some lifelong friends.
Over the past few weeks, I have returned to the verse above time and time again.
Christ’s ambassadors. We, you and I, are called to be Christ’s ambassadors.
I think back to my experiences as an international ambassador. I was a representative of my university, and more so my culture. I was in a position to pass on the things that I had learned throughout my lifetime spent in the states. I was able to help people prepare to come to a new place, to be in this place, and to go forward in this new place. I did my best to smooth the transition and to be available when needed. More than anything, I was able to build connections and establish relationships through these opportunities.
Being Christ’s ambassador is very much the same. We are called to be representatives of His kingdom. We are to display the standards of His kingdom to others by the way that we live our own lives. We are given opportunities to pass on the things that we have learned in our lives spent with Christ. We prepare people for their entrance into the kingdom of God by walking them to the cross, we get to stand with them as they encounter Christ, and then we continue on with them in this new life through discipleship. We get to help smooth the transition and we are available to their needs. More than anything, we build connections, relationships, and come together in unity.
Leaving your family and flying across the world to start college in a brand new culture is a huge transition, but it pales in comparison to the transformation that takes place when one accepts the love of Christ for the first time in their life. Life within the kingdom of Christ is different. The people are different, the culture is different, and in the beginning, it could feel like you’re hearing a whole new language.
In knowing this, God has called His ambassadors to the frontlines. He has called us to be a resource, to be representatives, and to be friends. Just as my university was trying to provide comfort and friendship through me, God is making an appeal through you and I today.
“We are ambassadors of the Anointed One who carry the message of Christ to the world, as though God were tenderly pleading through our lips. So we tenderly plead with you on Christ’s behalf, “Turn back to God and be reconciled to Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:20 TPT)
If you have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord of your life, you are called to be His ambassador. It is through your lips that God desires to tenderly plead with every single person that you encounter. It is through you, the way you live and the words you speak, that others are to be pointed to Christ. It is through you that one may hear the Word of God, be led to the foot of the cross, embrace Christ for the first time, and continue on as a new disciple of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
Embrace your call to be Christ’s ambassador today.
