The Scriptures this week are a challenge to us to live life as Messenger of God. Jesus tells those that follow him that they re-present God in the world. They are not God. They don't speak in God's place. They re-present, they make God present in a sense in the world through their actions, words, testimony, relationships, use of resources, and compassion. Romans 6 is Paul talking about the freedom known in and by following Jesus as master, teacher & Savior. It's a freedom to be part of something bigger, that reshapes us, liberates us from narcissism, delivers us from existential dread and reconnects us to what it means to be human in community. Paul says in 2 Cornithians 4-5 that we are "ambassadors for Christ" living in and moving throughout the world. We are called to ambassodorship, to living life as a messenger, not a passive spectator, ego-maniac usurper, or violently reacting vigilante.
So what does it mean to be a messenger of God?
I spent the week at summer camp with the children of our church community as well as my own. I was struck by several conversations that challenge the question "What does it mean to be God's messenger? And how do I welcome God's messengers sent to me?"
Two kids asked me if I knew who my dad was. They've never met theirs. They know his name. They know that he took off when they were mere babies, or that he was arrested and is still in jail.
A foster-system child seemed neglected, forgotten, desperate for human contact and affirmation.
Someone in active ministry talked of how they're desperate to get out, to find anything else in which they might be treated with more respect, given more creative freedom, and able to share their passion for God's world-transforming love.
How are we called to be messengers of God's love, purpose and passion to such folks?
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