Emissary: [noun]:
A person sent on a special mission, usually as a diplomatic representative.
There are many people that I consider ambassadors of faith, each playing a significant role in my faith’s journey and who I've become, they include my mother and father; Annie Anderson, Marinell and Arthur Ludd; Georgia and Henry Ross; Mary and Harold James; Dr. E.V. Hill; Chaplains Burke and Eason; William Champaign; Pastor Charles and Deborah Bloom; Brother Terrell Williams; Sister Maxine Davis; Pastor Rick Krist; Betty Weatherspoon; Chaplain Jason Duckworth; Pastor Gerald and First Lady Wilcoxon; Pastor David Author; Dr. Robert and Mary Fairley; Dave and Daisy Clark; Peggy and JL; and Mary Potts, all of which I consider pillars (spiritual strong towers) when it comes to exhibiting the highest ideals of our beloved faith.
Likewise, there was a young gentleman named Safir, meaning ambassador or emissary in Arabic, who I worked with for more than two years. Although he had very little, in terms of valued possessions, and was often very reluctant to take from others he never failed to come bearing gifts on behalf of his family. Always giving from what they lacked and never asking for anything in return. From fresh baked bread, known as Nan, to the beautiful cultural garments his mother handmade for my grandchildren Rufus and Honour. Yet what I admired most about Safir is both his grace and his humility as he went about serving as an emissary, as one who acts solely on behalf of the king, or in his case the honor and dignity of his family. As I departed for the last time and bid him farewell, tears filled his eyes and mine as he simply said on behalf of his family; “God bless you.” Some listening may ask what the significance is of mentioning my grandchildren by name and I will answer twice, names carry with them significance, and secondly whenever I speak to Safir, even today he does not ask, how are the grandchildren, he mentions them both by name, giving them the highest regard.
I often ask myself, am I an emissary of the king, do I possess the attributes that are directly attributed to whom I proclaim to represent. I am close, but Safir’s illustration demonstrates I still have a way to go. I can only hope that I’ve impacted his life as much as he has mine.
Philippians 2:19-30
