In it, Not of it – Do Elections Matter?
I once met an Ambassador. Michele and I had been invited, through a Peruvian friend, to a cultural jazz concert at the residence of the US Ambassador to Peru in Lima. I told my friend that I was a Canadian, not an American. She responded, “it doesn’t matter, as the cultural attaché for the embassy, I can invite whoever I want.” So, we went. While I am not a huge jazz fan, I was curious to see the residence of the Ambassador.
The night did not disappoint. It was pretty “swanky”, I am not swanky. There were waiters in black tuxes that served drinks and snacks. I like snacks. I was collecting the little cardboard drink coasters they put under my coke and the white drink napkins as they were gold embossed with the great seal of the United States of America. I had quite the collection. My wife asked me why I was doing that? I responded, “in case we ever have a party and I want to impress people!” She was not impressed!
After the jazz concert, which seemed to go on forever, (my apologies to the true jazz fans out there) we were about to leave when my friend offered to introduce us to a few people she worked with at the embassy. We proceeded to walk parallel to a long line of people waiting in line. As we got to the front of the line, she “butted us in” and said, “Mr. Ambassador, I’d like to introduce you to my pastor and his wife.” He was all smiles as he shook my hand and asked; “where in the US are you from?” I answered, “Toronto!” I thought it was funny, so did the Ambassador!
I don’t remember the Ambassador’s name, where he studied, his credentials or how he was appointed as the US Ambassador to Peru. In and of himself the Ambassador had no power or authority. I do however remember who he represented, the people and the government of the United States of America. The evidence was all around us from flags to Marines in full dress uniforms and emblematic symbols, right down to the little cardboard drink coasters and napkins.
No doubt you’ve been watching the election campaign and activities south of the border. Elections are often a time of civic pride as we, in a democratic country, exercise our right to choose the elected officials that govern our land. But as Christians, do elections matter? If we, as Christians, understand that we are “in it, but not of it”, that our citizenship is in heaven, not here on earth, then, do elections matter? They do. Apart from our civic “right” to vote, or even our freedom, elections matter. We too are Ambassadors and we also represent another, a higher authority. We have a higher calling to influence for good, for the Gospel, those in our society.
The apostle Paul writing to the Corinthian believers (2 Cor. 5:17-21), reminded them that they were new creations in Christ. They had a new position in Christ, a new calling to a ministry of reconciliation. It was not their words or their authority, but the message of reconciliation, the Word of God. Paul reminded them, and us, that we are Ambassadors for Christ. They represented not themselves, their church or even their people, but Christ in and through them, with a calling to share the hope of the Gospel, the offering of reconciliation to God.
Elections can often bring out the worst in people, as no doubt we’ve seen, but elections can be times to influence our society for the Gospel. Not just in the pursuit to elect good and godly civic leaders, but in the opportunity to be Ambassadors for Christ.
Have you ever thought of yourself as an Ambassador? You are! You represent the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. We reflect His transformation in ourselves as a living testimony to the power of the Gospel and His desire that all come to repentance.
In this time of uncertainty, of pandemic and election hype, may each of us ponder and reflect upon our calling. Not as pastors, missionaries or leaders in ministry, those activities that we do, but through the calling to be an Ambassador who represents our Lord. May we lead others to receive a new citizenship, not through any electoral process, but through the eternal changing and transforming reconciliation power of the Gospel.
Serving as Christ’s ambassador, imploring others to be reconciled to God through Christ!
Rev. Bill Allan
AGC President