Max Lucado, in his classic book No Wonder They Call Him the Savior relates the story of Christina, a young woman raised in a town outside Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. Christina had always longed to experience the bright lights and party atmosphere of this famous city but had often been warned off by her mother. Unemployment in the city was high; strip joints and brothels were about the only places offering jobs to young women. Christina didn’t listen. One day she packed her bags and secretly took off to the city. Terrified for what might become of her daughter, Christina’s mother set out to find her. She searched the vast city in vain. Fearing the worst, she visited some of Rio’s sleaziest establishments. On the walls of these places she pinned photos of herself. On the back of each photo she had written a simple message to her daughter. She returned home, devastated. Christina eventually ended up employed in a Rio brothel. And one day, as she stumbled down the stairwell,she noticed on the wall a photo of her mum. Taking the image off the wall she discovered her mother’s writing on the back. She turned it over and read the words: “Whatever you have done, whatever you have become, please just come home.” And she did.
As Lucado points out, the actions of Christina’s mother provide a wonderful picture of God’s grace. But, for me, the story also offers a kind of allegory for our involvement in the mission of Christ. The “friend of sinners” entered the world in search of his lost ones, and many “Zacchaeuses” were indeed found and saved. But the Lord’s mission continues on, long after his return to glory. He has left countless “photos” of himself throughout the world: you and me. Attached to those images is the message of God’s welcoming grace toward sinners: “Whatever you have done, whatever you have become, please just come home.” By what we say and do we communicate to those around us that the Lord desires the fellowship of sinners. We are the means by which, through God’s Spirit, others hear the call to “come home”
to the Father. We are Christ’s photos.

Quote from...
Dickson, John, (2010-04-29). The Best Kept Secret of Christian Mission: Promoting the Gospel with More Than Our Lips (Kindle Location 813). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.