Who do you represent to others who see you? To some, you are a resident of your local community, state, or country and when abroad, they see you as an American. Others may see your outward appearance and determine you are of a certain race, gender, young, or elderly and categorize you as such. Maybe you wear a certain badge, hat or t-shirt that identifies you working for a company, or maybe a fan of a certain sports team, which others may love or hate. Or you may drive across town in a truck, mini van, hot rod, junker, motorcycle, or golf cart and others may judge you based on your form of transportation. Maybe you are walking with your family, a clean-cut crew, carrying a baby, or with others of questionable character and others may react accordingly. Maybe you have a chest length beard, piercings, tattoos, or still sport a mullet which may draw preconceived notions of who you may be. Other things are not as easy to see, like whether we are a Republican or Democrat, our education or income, and who we pray to. There are almost limitless ways we can be categorized as to who we represent when we walk down the street, but they all make up who we represent to others. Who do you want to represent?
So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11
When I first moved to town I had a small wooden cross that I often placed around the rearview mirror of my car, as I was not afraid of being identified as a Christian. The same thing might have been accomplished by putting a fish sticker on my car, but I did not go down that road. It did make me think twice about how I was driving and how I represented myself to others on the road. When there were times I was speeding or driving more assertively, I debated what others would think of who I represented to them. Like the WWJD bracelets, I would ask myself if this was appropriate Christian behavior. I also hosted a college student one Summer who also had a cross on his dash, but lived a life that wasn’t very honoring to God by his lying and thieving behavior. I eventually took down the necklace, but didn’t change my faith. What would cause you to change your opinion of how you represent your faith?
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:20
Are you proud or ashamed to represent God when you go out into the world? If you are like me, maybe you have done both at different times, and can be discouraged by your behavior at times and unashamed at others. If we live as though Christ were with us at all times, shouldn’t it be evident who we are walking with? Let us live as though others know us as God’s children and Ambassadors of Christ wherever we go and whatever we do!
Yours in Christ,
Clark
