What Language Are You Speaking?
Not too long ago I saw a snippet of the TV reality show American Idol where a contestant that had been turned down for the show made a remark to the judges that they took as a threat. Turns out 'Be Careful' is a colloquialism in that part of the country, a farewell as much as 'Take Care' or 'See Ya Later' might be. We live in the same country, but do we speak the same language?
One of the cultural shocks when we lived in the South was this language barrier. A young teenager spoke to me and because I didn't hear what she said I replied, "Pardon me?" It greatly offended her and I remember thinking - 'huh?'
I wonder if non-believers think the same way about Christians. I've been guilty of speaking 'Christianese' - a language a select few really grasp and understand - confusing those around me with their faces clearly depicting - 'What in the world are you talking about?'
We understand international cultural differences, but sometimes we overlook the cultural differences in our own back yard. As Christians, are we wearing 'Cultural Blinders' that cause us to see only our own narrow view? I'm not talking about compromising our faith or beliefs; I'm talking about understanding our neighbors.
I lived in Taiwan as a child in a walled-in compound, with bars on the windows. One day, my brother and I were playing kickball and the ball sailed over the wall. We could hear shouts of children so off we went to check it out - and to get our ball back! In the church yard next door there were about half a dozen Chinese children running around - laughing, and playing, and kicking our ball. We didn't know any Chinese - and they didn't know any English, but that didn't stop us from communicating in a universal language of children everywhere - fun! I have no idea what we said to each other, no idea about the rules or even the game we were playing, but that day is one of the fondest of my childhood.
We use words to communicate, but sometimes we miscommunicate. We think we are saying one thing, and the other person hears something totally different. It happens in all our relationships, but I think it is especially sad as we try to communicate God's love to the world given through His Son Jesus. According to John 13:35 love is our calling card (By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another). Love should be seen, and felt, and identified as love before words are ever spoken.
It's the only thing that can bridge the cultural gap.
All for Him,
Missy
One of the cultural shocks when we lived in the South was this language barrier. A young teenager spoke to me and because I didn't hear what she said I replied, "Pardon me?" It greatly offended her and I remember thinking - 'huh?'
I wonder if non-believers think the same way about Christians. I've been guilty of speaking 'Christianese' - a language a select few really grasp and understand - confusing those around me with their faces clearly depicting - 'What in the world are you talking about?'
We understand international cultural differences, but sometimes we overlook the cultural differences in our own back yard. As Christians, are we wearing 'Cultural Blinders' that cause us to see only our own narrow view? I'm not talking about compromising our faith or beliefs; I'm talking about understanding our neighbors.
I lived in Taiwan as a child in a walled-in compound, with bars on the windows. One day, my brother and I were playing kickball and the ball sailed over the wall. We could hear shouts of children so off we went to check it out - and to get our ball back! In the church yard next door there were about half a dozen Chinese children running around - laughing, and playing, and kicking our ball. We didn't know any Chinese - and they didn't know any English, but that didn't stop us from communicating in a universal language of children everywhere - fun! I have no idea what we said to each other, no idea about the rules or even the game we were playing, but that day is one of the fondest of my childhood.
We use words to communicate, but sometimes we miscommunicate. We think we are saying one thing, and the other person hears something totally different. It happens in all our relationships, but I think it is especially sad as we try to communicate God's love to the world given through His Son Jesus. According to John 13:35 love is our calling card (By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another). Love should be seen, and felt, and identified as love before words are ever spoken.
It's the only thing that can bridge the cultural gap.
All for Him,
Missy
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posted by Missy at
12:01 AM
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