AMBASSADORS FOR CHIRST

I am hoping I can get across the thoughts that have been running around in my heart and spirit since I heard the message at church last Sunday. Here goes...

Our Pastor was out on Sunday as he had a skin cancer removed on his nose on last Thursday. I won't lie and say that I wasn't disappointed when I discovered that he wouldn't be there. He wasn't sure the Sunday before if he would be or not, as he was just going to see how it went. Obviously, he decided he wasn't up to it. ANYWAY, I don't know why I always panic or get disappointed when I realize we are going to have a guest speaker, when I don't think there has EVER been a time that I didn't thoroughly enjoy whoever it is replacing him, or be blessed usually in many different ways. I guess it is just because I soo love Pastor Dave and look forward to hearing him teach. But....Sunday morning was just a real blessing to me. It wasn't just the fact that he was around our age (always so easy to relate to for me in some way when they are) quite funny, an excellent speaker and a former professional baseball player, that had me hanging on his every word. It was much more the fact that he had such a genuine and obvious love of the Lord, and a practical, down to earth way of talking about how he lived his life as a result. He didn't become a Christian until AFTER he was hit by a line drive that basically took him out of the game. He was a confirmed Atheist at that point. But again, all of this is not what intrigued me. He was talking about how important it is that we OPEN our mouths and talk about what Jesus is doing in our lives basically ANYWERE we might ourselves with the opportunity to do so. He challenged us to pick a place (any place we might find ourselves in during a normal week) and devote just 15 minutes to WHOEVER the Lord might send our way to talk to. Now I will admit that I have not yet done so this week, but I am looking for the opportunity. I find it exciting to think who the Lord might just send my way. But what this man did suggest to us all is that we don't have to worry about being CLOSERS. Now married to a Sales Manager for many, many years I am very aware of what it means to close the deal, or the importance of doing so, haha. But we are not called to "close the deal" when it comes to another's salvation. This is the job of the Holy Spirit. All we are to do is be His Ambassadors. His spokes persons so to speak. Ready and willing to spread the good news and talk about what He is doing in our very ordinary, everyday lives.

2 Cor 5:20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God.

All of this got me thinking about why it is that we all seem to be soo consumed with our lives here on this earth. Why it is that if we lose someone we love, or find ourselves possibly nearing the end of our own lives that there is such a feeling of panic or dread. We are all truly just passing through. There isn't a one of us who is going to get out of here alive. We won't be taking anything here with us either. This is NOT where we are all going to EVENTUALLY be. Our hope and our lives are in what lies ahead. Our panic and our dread should be for those who won't be spending that eternity with us. And we should be consumed with getting this message out. This life as we know it is but a vapor in the scope of all eternity. Our eternities really start for us right now while we are still on this earth with our relationships with Him. We don't have to wait until we die for that to begin. Now I know there is NO WAY that I explained this message in the way that this man did. But I do know this. I am soo grateful that I live in a place where I CAN open my mouth (or my blog page ~ haha) if I so chose to, and SHOUT of the love and mercies of the Lord and what He did for us on the cross, but also what He is doing in my life today.  I pray that the Lord might challenge all of our hearts to be His ambassadors and to live our lives here, grateful to have that opportunity. 

I almost forgot!  I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that I was going to mention a different blogging buddy every week that especially blesses me and a little about why.  There are soo many that do that this might take me SEVERAL weeks.  And just so you know ~ they are in no particular order. = )  This week I want to tell (those of you who don't know her already that is) about Kris @ It's a Sweet Life.  She is just the neatest lady.  She is one of my very first blogging buddies and I have been reading her posts for so long now I feel like I have known her for years.  Her blog posts are entertaining and heart felt and funny, and as babysitting Grandma's we have much in common.  She is quite the talented lady and cooking is one of her passions and she shares her recipes' generously.  She also does beautiful quilting.  So if you get the chance, check out her blog.  You will be blessed if you do.   I thank God for you Kris!

To join the other Thankful Thursday posts, click HERE.

I have an especially busy week-end coming up so I decided to link this post with Spiritual Sunday as well.  Many thanks to Charolotte & Ginger for hosting this event that soo blesses me.  May you all have a WONDERFUL week-end.  To join the other Spiritual Sunday posts, click HERE...