Today, we acknowledge this Patriots Day, marking the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. We honor in prayer those whose lives were lost, and the unparalleled changes to the families personally affected, along with our citizens and our nation.

Of all the Kingdom ambassadors I’ve met, none stand out like the neighbors who made themselves available to my family during a crucial time. I’ve shared this story before: When I was fifteen, my Christian neighbor taught me to build things and use tools, but warned me not to visit the Pentecostal Meachums behind us, viewing them as odd. Ignoring this, my sister Angie befriended the Meachums, and I saw her life change. 

Curious, I visited with her and found the Meachums to be incredibly kind, loving, and godly. They invested in me with prayer, conversation, and fellowship, even prophesying over my life—prophecies that later came true. I’d always known about Christianity, but through their example, I truly encountered Jesus and wanted God to live in me. Because God placed me with these faithful people, both my future and my family’s spiritual life were transformed.

​My friend, the most important thing you can do as an ambassador for Jesus is to simply make yourself available. When you are willing to love and care for the people the Lord places in your path, He will multiply your impact and use you to change the eternal destinies of others. Never underestimate the power of taking time to care for and invest in your friends and neighbors, even through simple acts like having a conversation, offering a prayer, or sharing a meal. When you approach every encounter prepared to give a reason for the hope that you have, the Holy Spirit will work through you to bless, speak to, convict, and affirm those around you, and the Kingdom of God will expand as a result.