Intentionally
Obvious or Covert
By Peggy Kleckner
“We are therefore
Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us.”
2
Corinthians 5:20 (NIV)
Recently
at work, we were asked to come dressed in camouflage or blaze orange in honor
of hunters. Some of the people at work try and lighten things up by suggesting
these things. Packer attire on one day, perhaps Badger attire for the Wisconsin college team on another day….you get the idea.
In
any case, being married to a passionate hunter meant this clothing was readily
available. I came dressed in the over-sized, down-to-my-knees, blaze orange
long-sleeved shirt of my husband. Since not everyone joins in on these things,
let’s just say I definitely was noticeable. Another woman had on a blaze orange
vest, but wore it under an unzipped sweatshirt. Essentially then, you only saw
the blaze orange if she was facing you, unlike myself who could be spotted from
a very great distance.
My
manager came dressed in her husband’s shirt, but she had chosen the camouflage
fabric for the day. In earthy browns and greens, she was a quieter participator
in the day’s fun.
Although
I am used to this fabric being in my home and on my husband, I had not worn it
before myself. I don’t really like drawing attention to myself and I certainly
thought a lot more people would be dressed in the same fashion. I wasn’t quite
prepared to be so obvious!
When
I applied this scenario to my walk as a Christian, I realized sometimes I wear
camouflage. Outwardly I look like any other human being, but in some
circumstances it will become very obvious I am different. Like a star that can
only be seen at night, it is my setting that displays my true nature.
As
Christ’s ambassador, I may be called to speak one-on-one with someone who will then
see the blaze of His love in me (like the friend who wore the vest under her
sweatshirt that was only seen when she faced someone). At other times, He may
choose to set me on display in some fashion (like wearing blaze orange at work
for the day).
In the midst of my everyday life, He may ask me
to swap out my camouflage for blaze orange in order to display His glory as His
ambassador to those who don’t yet know Him. My actions will follow the intent of my
Father. Although this may not be “comfortable,” it most certainly is the work
of an ambassador.
GOING DEEPER:
1.
In what circumstance this week have you felt Him call you to display the light of
His love?
2. Are you recognizing His lead and His choosing, or
are you setting up your own display?
FURTHER READING:
Peggy is a wife and
mother of four adult children - - two sons and two stepsons, and is an active
encourager at Oakwood
Church in Delafield.
