Whom we represent

A devotional on ambassadorship
By Kathy McMillan

Author David Fisher tells the story of meeting the Swaziland ambassador to the United Nations, Nelson Malinga, when he came to the U.S. searching for teachers to work in Swaziland. The king of Swaziland wanted to establish a network of Christian schools.

David Fisher was the ambassador’s host for two days when he arrived at a Christian college to interview students. David had lived in a democracy his entire life, so this window into the workings of a monarchy was eye-opening.

There was a sense of dignity about Mr. Malinga. It was clear that he represented the king, and he took his job seriously. The office he held gave him power and confidence, but it wasn’t a personal sense of power; he was a representative of the king, for whom he spoke. He quoted the king and referenced the king; it was clear that the power came from the monarch, not the ambassador. The mission he was on and the messages he shared were not his own, but the king’s.

In the evening, after the interviews were over, Mr. Malinga completed his final task of the day. He went back to the hotel and called the king, whom he loved and respected. David believed that the ambassador’s quiet sense of authority came from his connection to the king. He knew him well and what he wanted to accomplish, and it was the ambassador’s highest honor to help make the king’s wishes a reality.

The apostle Paul, in 2 Corinthians 5:20, says that we are Christ’s ambassadors. Do you ever think about how you represent the King? If we consider that question in the context of David Fisher’s story, it places quite a responsibility on us to choose our words and actions well. The apostle Peter further elaborates:

Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay. God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen. (1 Peter 4:8-11)

Our children were in fifth grade when they joined our church’s Pathfinder club (similar to boy and girl scouts with a spiritual focus). The club had a theme song that still frequently runs through my mind:

We are His hands to touch the world around us.
We are His feet to go where He may lead.
And we are His love burning in the darkness.
We are His love shining in the night.

This is a most convincing description of what it means to be a true servant of Jesus.

—Kathy McMillan, MA, is director of Employee Spiritual Care for Loma Linda University Medical Center.