It´s with fear and trembling that I soon again put my feet on American soil.  The country is so big, the frightening issues are so many, the Christians are often so bewildered and disillusioned, the churches are so many and yet usually with little power, - I mean spiritual power – but still their eloquence is so brilliant , that I ask myself, What in the world can I, with my stammering accent, do over there?  What answer does a visiting mediocre have to offer those champions?

Many Americans I shall meet only once, just once.  In the terminals, in the airplanes, on the market places, in the super markets, on the roads, at the park benches, etc.  What does a dying man have to say to dying people? A message on politics?  On patriotism?  On ethics?  On the budget?  On Afghanistan?  On Washington?  Or what?  I would be frightened out of my wits if I even pretend to be qualified on such subjects facing this awesome nation.

So what is my charter?  It´s a charter of foolishness.  It´s the same charter I´m committed to in my own country:  The gospel of Jesus Christ!  In one true sense, I´m a dying man.  This may be my very last trip to the States – that precious land of my youth.  What should my surroundings hear as the last thing coming from my lips?  Only this and this only:  “…that the message might be preached fully through me…”  (2 Tim. 4:17).  That´s all.  It doesn´t say “a message” (one among many messages), but the message!  I´m trembling all right, but I´m also excited about it!

I´m not ashamed to identify myself with the words of Billy Graham (uttered in his prime), “I never go to see important people – or anyone else – without having the deep realization that I am – first and foremost  an ambassador of the King of kings and Lord of lords…”  What a calling!

A preacher friend of mine checked in at a hotel in Norway.  Being a visitor he was supposed to fill in a  form.  He noticed how important and significant hotel guests filled in the space about their occupation. He said (as he told the story), “I was very tempted to write the word “Ambassador”!

March 20, 2012 – jn