We are representatives of heaven

"Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.'" John 20:21 ESV

Luis Grijalva was only a year old when his family moved from Guatemala to New York City. The family of five later moved to Fairfield, California, where Grijalva often ran for fun along with other children in Turkey Trot races on Thanksgiving. At those holiday races and PE classes, Grijalva slowly started noticing that he was faster than other kids his age. But it was not until he became a teenager while at Armijo High School in Fairfield that he realized how much he loved to run, and with the help of his coaches, focused on becoming a cross-country runner, he said. This was a move that led to him crossing the finish line at the NCAA track and field championships last month to qualify for the Olympics. But first, immigration officials would have to agree to let the 22-year-old runner travel outside the United States and come back to the country he calls home. Grijalva is a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient who will travel to Japan on Friday to represent Guatemala in the 5,000-meter race at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. He and his lawyer spent several weeks petitioning US Citizenship and Immigration Services for a special permit known as advance parole that allows DACA recipients to reenter the US after traveling... on Monday, he got cleared to travel after weeks of uncertainty. "It's a privilege and an honor to represent Guatemala because that's where I was born, (where I) have generations of family and that's where my roots started," he told CNN.

And you know, it's not only Luis that has the privilege and honor of representing his "home.” You and I, as believers do as well. You see, when Jesus said, "As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you," He was making it clear that you and I are ambassadors from heaven, sent out to do the will of the One who sent us. And as such, you and I not only have the responsibility of representing Jesus well by imitating Him but have the same authority, the same purpose, the same rights and the same duties that Jesus did when the Father sent Him; duties that include serving and loving others and leading the lost to the foot of the Cross.  

So knowing that we represent a kingdom that can be never be destroyed and will never pass away, let us acknowledge what a privilege and honor it is to be chosen (and yes we were chosen!) by speaking, thinking and behaving only in ways that are fitting for a representative of the King. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for allowing us the right to not only be called citizens of heaven but representatives of heaven here on earth. Give us the strength and wisdom to serve You as we are called Lord that we would use our positions to the best of our ability. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!