Pete Peterson’s first contact with Vietnam was in the Vietnam War.
During a bombing raid in 1966, his plane was shot down and he was taken
prisoner. Over 30 years later he returned as US Ambassador to Vietnam. One
press article called him “a walking billboard for reconciliation.” He realized
years ago that God had not saved his life for him to live in anger. Because he
believed this, he used the rest of his life and his position to make a
difference by pushing for better safety standards for children in Vietnam.
It is a great responsibility and honor to be appointed as a
representative of your country to another. As followers of Christ we are
“ambassadors for Christ” (2 Cor. 5:20). Just as God sent Christ to reconcile us
to Himself (v.18), we now have the ministry of “reconciliation” (v.19). Our
message is that all can be redeemed in Christ because God “made Him who knew no
sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him”
(v.21).
In response to the reconciling love Jesus offers us, we can share that
love with others. Let’s take our role seriously. Wherever God places us in this
world, He can use us as walking billboards of reconciliation for Jesus Christ.
Good news kept silent is no news at all. (RBC)
