Ambassador

Jim.

Yesterday afternoon, I participated in Bryan College's annual MLK Community Service Day. During this event, students are sent out in about 50 groups of 2 to 20 people, into various residential and community locations that have specific needs. This year I was a part of a group of 7 students that served at the Spring City Library. We did some indoor painting, as well as cleaning and moving bookshelves.

The most memorable part of this day was my converation with Jim, an older man that served on staff at the library. He was impressed by our groups respect, our willing attitude in service, and our dedication in doing a complete and quality job. He told me that we had given him hope for the future of our nation, and that he believed his generation had "failed to be effective" for America. He told me he wanted students like us to be ambassadors for America, because we had a dedication and a passion that professional politicians lack.

Gospel in Life.

Before I make my point, let me say in way of background information that this "event" occured at an optimal time for me. The past week I had been listening and studying a sermon by Matt Chandler, Senior Pastor of The Village Church in Dallas, Texas, entitled "Service." I've spent the past month in thought and study, trying to gain a deeper realization of the Gospel, as well as an appropriate reaction in how I live my life. This study, as well as my daily reading in Matthew's Gospel, very quickly brought me to the idea of service.

"But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Matthew 20:26-28

Here we find Jesus' self-proclaimed purpose for the incarnation. While He ultimately came to defeat sin through his perfect life and death, Jesus also came to do His father's will in service to mankind. The very Gospel is founded on an attitude of complete submission and self-sacrificing service. God humbled Himself and became a servant, obedient even unto death. And how should we respond? By becoming great in God's sight. This greatness comes not from superior strength or skill, high position or security, or success. It isn't merely an action, but a complete life-focus!! How often do we look for the closest parking spot, the best seat, the cleanest table, the shortest line, or the biggest sale? Sure these are small and insignificant actions, but they reflect an attitude that is constantly pleasing self and claiming entitlement.

The Point.

Here's my point. Jim saw the importance of representatives and ambassadors that put their country ahead of their paycheck, and their passion ahead of their image. As partakers and participants in a Gospel characterized by sacrifice, let us put away our priority of image, dignity, and pleasure. If we truly grasp the power of the Gospel, we will follow Christ's example in selfless service, truly treating others better than ourselves. As Christians, we are Christ's ambassadors (Acts 1:8), "having the same mind (Philippians 2:5-7)" which was in Christ! We must be nothing, for He is everything.

Brian