I received a work email today from a pastor who runs a feeding ministry a few counties over.  Since he and his volunteers are not able to visit with clients, they have a leaflet that is included in all food boxes.  On the leaflet is a prayer that included the phrases “instrument of peace” and “ambassador of love.”  Those simple three-word phrases stopped me in my tracks.  I want to be THAT!!  I want to be an instrument of peace.  I want to be an ambassador of love.

The phrase “instrument of peace” may be best known as part of the Prayer of Francis of Assisi.  It’s a beautiful prayer.  One worth looking up if you aren’t familiar.

Dr. Wayne W Dyer wrote a book titled Instrument of Peace.  In it, he beautifully explains “When you are an instrument of peace, you are not seeking anything, you are a peace provider. You do not seek peace by looking into the lives of others and wishing that they would change so that you could become more peaceful. Rather, you bring your own sense of calm to everyone you encounter.”  THIS is ownership.  THIS is adulting at it’s best.  An instrument of peace doesn’t need someone else to be or do or say or anything.  An instrument of peace has peace to spare and spreads it on thick wherever it is lacking.  Therefore, an instrument of peace must be able to discern that lack.  God, make me an instrument of your peace!

Ambassador of love.  An ambassador is an official representative.  It is expected he/she will represent their home country with the highest of integrity.  Lots of eyes are on ambassadors.  They are under scrutiny as the embodiment of the best (and worst) of their homeland.

What is it to be an ambassador of love? I think that one is pretty straight forward.  God is love. We are God’s.  We are beholden to represent him well.   Sounds lovely doesn’t it?  Not complicated at all.  Until, of course, we try to love the unlovely, the selfish, the addict, the abuser, the racist, the bully, the person with two carts of toilet paper leaving none for the grandmother who needs a small pack.  God, make me an ambassador of your love!

I’ve thought a lot about germs lately.  I’m not a germophobe, but the ability of a virus to proliferate is pretty impressive. Doorknob to pants to chair to the next person’s pants to their hand to their face…viruses are strong and fast moving.  I want my peace and my love to move and grow as strong and as fast as a virus.  I want to be known for my love.  I want to bring peace with me into every situation.

Years ago, I was watching Bible teacher, Joyce Meyer, teach on the Fruit of The Spirit.  Do all my church peeps remember the song?  Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.  Joyce said she (paraphrase) wants to bear so much fruit that someone who lacks can simply pick it right off of her.  It has probably been 12 years since I heard that teaching and it never left me.  I’m going to spend some time meditating on those words, once again.  I’m going to dig deeper.  I want to be an instrument of peace.  I want to be an ambassador of love.