” Where every person matters but God matters most!
Language & Culture Barriers
Do you hate queueing and then get to the front only to realise that you are not being understood, and that you cannot quite formulate what it is you need to say? This morning I had to go to the bank where I waited 45 minutes for my turn. Being served was a gentleman who was getting more stressed by the minute as he tried to covey his need in total frustration to the teller who did not quite understand his problem, though he did his best to explain. His wife, bless her, was also becoming agitated because she clearly understood the barriers and that it would take some time to sort out; it was not a simple matter. When in a different country with a different language, it´s often a good idea to either practise what you need to say or to take an interpreter.
Language barriers can cause problems. But it´s not just language is it? It´s also about culture, customs, and attitudes. We so often expect people to know what we mean, know what we are talking about. When interacting with different cultures, a lack of understanding can sometimes seem like a giant chasm. Even common words & phrases can mean something different, here in Spain and elsewhere.
This morning, this all made me wonder at God´s patience with all of us. Think about the tower of Babel – oh what a clatter we must all make! And yet… God knows each of us, He hears us, He sees our lives and our hearts, He knows our struggles and meets our needs (not always our wants, but generally our needs!) He knows us by name, each one of us. This in itself is a concept of awe, wonder, praise and gratitude for me. And today it makes me think of His omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence and as well as all of that; His compassion, compassion for each one of us. And I am in awe all over again. I praise and thank Him for what and who He is – to me, to you, to all who seek Him.
When talking to God we do not need to practice our words or have an interpreter, we can simply speak from our hearts. Clear and articulate or muddled and messy, it matters not. Sincerity is the key to our communication with Him and Jeremiah 33:3 is His phone number!
Pilar Christian Community Church. Calle Canalejas 3, Pilar de la Horadada. Email: phil.molloypccc@gmail.com English Service at 11am every Sunday. Info at: pilarchurch.com
