true blue ambassadors

by Pastor Jim Rovaggi

Do you consider yourself a good friend? Are you true blue? You know, the expression "True Blue" came from a little town in England whose reputation was known all over England, for making a beautiful cloth that retained its unfading blue color far longer than any other fabric. Hence the term "true blue" was used to describe a friend that stays dependable, unwavering, and unfading. You know anyone like that? Do you have friends that you sort of fall out of contact with for a while but when you re-connect you start right where you left off? Sometimes we refer to them as “kindred spirits” if I can get a little cheesy for moment. I am personally blessed with several friends who I would describe this way. In time of need I know I can depend on them and vice versa. It's a wonderful feeling to develop relationships that are like "money in the bank". God applauds genuine friendship, and Christian fellowship. It is a key aspect of the Christian life. Believers in Christ are to come together in love, faith, and encouragement. That is the essence of koinonia as described in Acts 2:42.

On this beautiful Friday morning, I believe God wants to expand our understanding of friendship. It’s wonderful to have trustworthy friends, to nurture intimate relationships, but we as believers, are called to do more. You see it's easy to befriend people with whom you have a common bond. You worship together. You eat together on occasion. You've watched the "big game" together and so on, but the truth is we have been commanded to befriend the widow, the orphan, the poor, the sick, imprisoned and yes, even that total stranger that approaches you for directions when you’re in a huge hurry. We’re called to be ambassadors of God’s love and kindness! James 1:27 says, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”

It has been noted in the past, that I‘m not Mr. Sensitive. As important as kindness, and gentleness is, it does not come natural to me. In fact, in my youth I was known to toss the occasional cat high into the air while shouting “SUPERMAN”! I thought the cat was enjoying our little game as much as I was. (Never mind its futile attempts to scamper away in terror every time it landed.) I was also not slow to wound those around me with my words and actions. No, kind and friendly were NOT adjectives that would have been used to describe me. Even now as I work in ministry, I have to constantly remind myself to allow the Holy Spirit to extend my friendship, and kindness, and service, past the four walls of the church. After all, the fruits of the Spirit that describe what we’re discussing here: Love, Peace, Longsuffering, Kindness, Gentleness etc. weren’t meant to be reserved only for those people we’re comfortable with!

Some time ago I began to ask the Lord to provide opportunities for me to be able minister and evangelize people I didn’t know. In God’s infinite sense of humor, He responded. Ever since that prayer, I have had an endless stream of strangers approach my wife and I for various reasons. The most recent instance was a couple that crashed my son’s birthday party looking for directions. …to Canada. Yes Canada. It was our pleasure to aid them in getting back on the road (how they ended up in our driveway, I’ll never know.) but not before the elderly gentleman asked to use our bathroom. My first inclination was to rattle off a series of excuses: “not a rest stop…sorry…plumbings on the fritz…gas station on the corner” but at that moment, I felt a little tug on my heart to be kind. Of course in my natural trusting way …I followed him. This elderly gentleman must have sensed all the fruit rolling around in my spirit, and thus felt comfortable enough to use our bathroom without even closing the door. Um, thank you Lord for this blessing.
A few short days later, yet another gentleman paid me visit. He had run out of fuel and rolled off the parkway on fumes, and could I help him out? Once again, I was tempted to direct him to the nearest gas station when the Holy Spirit put me in check. I noted that I could see the car from my front door, so I went out to the garage, grabbed my recently purchased gas container with a few remaining ounces of gas from last summer and decided to trust him with it since I couldn’t leave my child by himself. I did a good thing. I felt satisfied and content. I felt blessed. I did. I felt less blessed when he drove by me waving with my gas can in his car. As he turned the corner off in the distance I began to discuss what had just happened to my gas can with the Lord. I was trying to be kind. I was ministering to a stranger! What’s up!? Where is the justice? Did I mention God has a sense of humor? Several minutes later, this stranger pulled in front of my house. I nonchalantly meandered out onto the lawn, working very hard not to appear surprised. Not only did he return my gas can…he returned it full. Not only did he return the container full, he brought me doughnuts! Munchkins, from Dunkin Doughnuts to be exact. Let me tell you. I believe these munchkins were sent from on high.
Family of God, you may do a kindness for someone in need, you may be a friend to a stranger and you may see no visible return. Let me assure you, the world will ridicule you for acting the part of the Good Samaritan, but your kind actions and words do not go unnoticed by the One who matters most. Even if I had never seen my gas can again…the knowledge that I had the privilege of showing a kindness to a stranger would have been more than adequate.
I wonder how many times I’ve overlooked situations or individuals that needed my help, or my kindness, and in so doing deprived myself of blessing. I leave you with this verse to ponder.
Hebrews 13:1-2 1Keep on loving each other as brothers. 2Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.
Today, I pray that you would have a chance be kind to those you know, and those you don’t!

God Bless You! ...And may He make us blessable!

Pastor Jimmy E. Rovaggi
Associate Pastor
West Hudson Christian Center
557 Kearny Avenue Kearny, NJ 07032
p 201-997-7762
c-973-600-8544