When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? (Acts 2: 1-8)
What is your native language? Your native language is the language where you are not consciously translating in your head. It is the language where you can easily express yourself and be creative. It’s the language where you hear your parents speak even if they’ve long passed and in which you dream.
I read something recently which said that the Christian’s native language is love. This makes sense to me. Strangely enough when I meet families at Sheffield Children’s Hospital who have limited English (and I have even less Arabic or Tamil or Spanish) I have to dig deep and find the language of love instead - the holding of a child’s hand, getting them a drink, just embracing silence. Maybe the reliance on my native tongue of English with other parents might actually get in the way. Love isn’t always as easy as English for me but I pray that I’ll grow in it. The Holy Spirit is my language teacher.
Even, if we speak the same language, there can still be misunderstanding. Each and every one of us knows the frustration, the deep disappointment of being misunderstood. It hurts. Its births nearly all conflict.
The Holy Spirit helps us listen and speak love in ways that people can understand. The Holy Spirit helps us overcome misunderstandings. Maybe you’ve had this experience. You’ve become estranged from someone because of something you did or didn’t do or something they did or didn’t do, or simply because things drifted. Then one something compels you to pick up the phone and call. Somehow the words come and tentative steps to a reunion are taken. I’d call that the Holy Spirit. Maybe you’ve had this experience. People have come to a Church Meeting with their own agendas and fears, some have come ready to defend themselves, others ready to point a finger but then someone prays and people start to really listen and a solution is found that nobody first thought of. I’d call that the Holy Spirit. Maybe you’ve had this experience. Your head is noisy with voices of impossible expectation or shame until something stops you in your tracks and you are aware that God loves you and that love is not earned. You feel lighter somehow. I’d call that the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit helps us listen and speak love in ways that people can understand.
Prayer
Holy Spirit
Help me listen in love today
Help me speak in love today
Help me act in love today
May other hear and see that my native language is the love of Jesus. Amen.
Suzanne Nockels
Comments