v 8 So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord.
Everyday conversations often include something about family life; questions like ‘How’s your mother/brother/auntie etc?’ frequently crop up. Some folk might go on at great length about a nephew’s success at University, while others might just nod and comment ‘Mother’s fine thanks.’ It doesn’t require a great deal of native wit to respond to a simple question of that sort. If however your dad happens to be in jail you might be a little more reticent, in fact you might feel a bit ashamed of your family circumstances and so talk about something different, like the weather.
When it comes to talking about faith it’s a bit different isn’t it!, It is all too easy to change the subject and talk about almost anything else. I was quizzed recently by my Dentist of all people – which didn’t give much opportunity to say anything in fact. It was more a case of ‘ ..Gurgle, gurgle, spit out, ‘Church’ in in response to one question. I won’t see him for another 6 months (I hope) but will an opportunity arise again to speak about Jesus? I want to be a better ambassador than that!
It is quite important to speak up when you are representing someone else. An Ambassador who never spoke up in defence of his country would be regarded as something of an oddity I would imagine. Be aware therefore that you belong to a heavenly country and you need never be ashamed of that. Your King is gracious and forgiving, generous and faithful. He has made promises to you about eternity, of being His friend and accepted as a member of His family. In fact, you can go beyond thinking of yourself as merely an Ambassador, you are a member of the royal family of Heaven! Now there is something to talk about – and no need to be ashamed of it.
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