“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ as though God were making an appeal through us.” – 2 Cor. 5:20

My Granddad was a traveling hat salesman. Many people nowadays don’t know or at least don’t really remember back to the times of traveling salesman. It was a long and lonely life out on the road, but he did it to take care of his family. There was another, less acknowledged reason for his travels though. My Granddad was also an associate pastor at his church. He was raised in a Christian family and grew up learning the need for a savior, forgiveness, and the love of God. Anywhere he went to sell hats, he had the opportunity to connect with people of all kinds. That gave him the opening he needed to share Jesus with many people far beyond the borders of his church building. He was in essence an ambassador of the Most High God; the face of the Lord. Hats were what he was selling, but the true payoff for him came when he gave them the gift of getting to know Jesus Christ through his words and through his actions.

We have a God who created the heavens and the earth and everything in between. He didn’t just create it and run, He’s still here walking with us. Whether we acknowledge him or not, He’s still here guiding our steps. Sometimes as the disobedient children that we often are, we like to take control of our own steps and be that so-called self-made man. God will still find his way to push our lives in certain directions, just as any good parent will. So my question for you is: where has God led you to right now? What circumstances, personal or professional, are you in right now? Whatever it is good or bad, ask yourself daily, “How can I use this situation to glorify God?”

The answers that come from asking that question may surprise you.

I’ve spent a good portion of my adult life in the business world. I’m grateful for that because it’s given me the chance to not only provide for my family, but it has given me the chance to connect with many people of different races, nationalities, and backgrounds. I have gotten to know people on various levels that I wouldn’t have had the chance to otherwise. As I did, those people got to know me just as well. They saw me as a man, as a coworker, and especially as a Christian. I tried to live my life in front of them just as I do in front of anyone, because I believe that you play like you practice, so to speak. If you live a lie, that will catch up to you someday and people will see through it nine times out of ten.

You can’t give what you don’t have. You need to walk the talk. You may be the only definite Christian that a person meets in their lives, and they will base their trust or belief in God off of what you show them at that moment. Whatever you’re trying to show someone else, especially when it comes to your spiritual views, will be quickly lost among the lies and all the fluff in your life. Theres an old saying that goes, “The best sermon is a life well lived.” And although I admit that I could definitely live my life better in many ways, the people who got to know me in my various travels have hopefully seen a real person with real struggles, but also with a real joy that comes from knowing Jesus Christ.

If you are a Christian, you too should display that joy. No matter what comes in life, we should have an unmistakable joy in knowing the Lord. Not just a fleeting happiness, but a true lasting joy from Christ’s love. We should have peace in knowing that the bad is passing quickly and the good is coming to stay, sooner with each passing day. You should display hope in the midst of the storms of life, knowing that it’s Jesus who is calming your storm.

Just as the Bible says, we should be ready with an answer for the hope that lies within us. Trust me, if you show true hope and true joy, people will ask. I’m not telling you to have some goofy smile on your face all the time; kind of an “ignorance is bliss” kind of thing. You should hold yourself with a certain peace and calm, giving off more of an internal smile. A smile from your heart feeling the hope that comes from being loved by the Lord.

People need hope in this fallen world. They need that light that ushers away the darkness. They need the love that comes through the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We can now truly love because God first loved us. Jesus loves us though the cross, and because of that, we are empowered to love one another through anything that life puts before us.

I know of a tow truck driver who worked long hours, but he enjoyed it because he found that his role allowed him to assist people of all kinds during some of their most stressful situations. Situations where those people thought that the world was against them and that nothing could go their way. Whether it was helping to change a tire or driving them to the nearest mechanic’s garage, this tow truck driver found that the kindness he showed these people during such a tough time was just the glimmer of hope many of them were looking for. Those times allowed this man to share the Gospel of Jesus and show a bit of God’s love to each of them. His attitude and positivity made all the difference in the lives of many people from many different walks of life.

No matter your state or place in this life, let your main objective be to show other people, through word and through deed, the love of a true and lasting relationship with our Heavenly Father. Your business or personal pursuits may have brought you to someone’s door, but let Jesus walk through it and into that person’s life. When you see some of those same faces in Heaven one day, you’ll then know exactly why you had that specific job or went through that certain set of trials and circumstances. Whatever you’re going through, whenever you go through it, ask God, “How can I glorify you and show the love of your son Jesus through this situation?” Be the face of God in someone’s life today. When you do that, I believe and declare that you are paving the way for God to bless you and those around you in amazing ways.

God’s blessings to you.

DH