Today started with a Nigerian in our home, speaking about his heart and skills in international affairs. A week ago, I was in conversation with a West-African diplomat regarding his roles in the UN and certain Presidential affairs. Two weeks ago, I was engaged in oil and gas investment relations, diplomatically speaking into the financing of local and global endeavors. Also, I’ve been in conversation with three global organizations regarding their strategic development and immediate leadership needs; seems diplomacy is the word these days.

The root of diplomacy is diplo, meaning double. So, who are you doubling? If you’re going to speak for someone else, what are you allowed to say on their behalf? Do you represent them well? Are they worth representing? How do you speak as one who speaks their very words? How have they come to trust you with their very dreams and decisions?

As I pray for nations, I read them. So tonight for example, praying for Malta, I read the words of HON. DR. TONIO BORG, DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS,

Since joining the European Union, Malta has, on a number of occasions spoken out on the Middle East question. Indeed, our actions speak louder than words. The recent opening of our Embassy in Tel Aviv and representative office in Ramallah are proof enough of our ongoing commitment for a search for peace in the region.

So much I could say about diplomacy, but I’ll leave you with Augustine’s City of God,

It is true that when he decided that those signs of power should be restrained, and when he concealed his real person more completely, the prince of the demons had doubt about him, and tested him to see if he were the Christ – in so far as he allowed himself to be tempted so that, under his control, the human nature which he wore might present an example for our imitation.

But after that temptation, as the Scripture says, angels ministered to him – good and holy angels, of course, and therefore striking fear and trembling into the impure spirits; and after that his greatness was increasingly made known to the demons, so that none of them dared resist his commands, even though the weakness of his flesh might seem contemptible.

Share/Save