Tonight's Word 🌱

World Translation Day - September 30

"Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."
-Romans 8:26

True stories.

1. While in transit at an airport as a late teen, I sat next to a man from the Czech Republic, and even though we were trying to have a conversation, we were not getting very far with it because of the language barrier. However, the travel dictionary he had was still useful as it helped us both to still exchange a few words. 

2. As a child, my abuela (grandmother) came to visit us from Venezuela. Most of the times, my mom was around, so we would simply listen to them talk. But one day my mom wasn't around, and it was just me and my abuela, and she started talking to me in Spanish. While I was glad that my abuela was spending time with me, no matter how much I tried, I couldn't understand her, neither could she understand me. I eventually gave up and felt defeated. I was too young to know about Spanish dictionaries.

3. A few years ago, when I purchased my vehicle, I took it for granted that it would be smooth sailing from there. And it was. Imagine my shock one day though when the vehicle started talking to me in Japanese. It still speaks to me in Japanese to this day, and for the life of me, I can't understand a single word. I prefer to think they are pleasant greetings. 

In all these scenarios, there was a definitive challenge. Having a translator/interpreter around would have come in quite useful. Perhaps the first two stories among several others, possibly subconsciously had some impact on my eventual educational pursuits in the field. I have always felt a pull toward learning foreign languages. No one likes not being able to understand when someone else speaks. A lot of meaning, good intention and possibility for connection can be lost when up against the invisible yet very real barrier of foreign language. Translators help to create an environment of understanding, facilitate communication and encourage learning.

The Bible also has a long history of not being understood by persons. Persons such as the Italian priest, Jerome (347-420 AD), eventually took up the task of translating the Bible into Latin. In fact, we may not have been able to read the Bible in our language today if it were not for the extensive and dedicated work of a long line of translators throughout history, who were inspired by the need for everyone to be able to understand God's Word to humanity in their own language. William Tyndale (1494-1536), for example, was a major pioneer who translated the New Testament and part of the old Testament, that became a solid foundation for subsequent English translations. It is definitely a more meaningful experience, being able to read in ones own native language. God intends for His Word to reach our hearts and minds, and His Spirit has inspired many to do this work of delivering the Word in as many languages as possible.

"If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart". - Nelson Mandela

The same Holy Spirit takes the art of interpretation to a deeper level in the life of the Christian. The Bible says in Romans 8:26 "Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." Oftentimes, we find ourselves praying, yet not for things that are according to God's will. The Spirit steps in and bridges that gap, interceding on our behalf for our own good. There are times we are so overcome with emotion, we cannot say a word or process a thought. The Spirit reads our heart, the deepest thought and struggle, and intercedes on our behalf. Sometimes, we are not even aware of what we should pray for. 

The Spirit of God is there to help us, to be our Advocate, to inspire us, to help us interpret and understand God's Word, to be our Comforter. Tonight, we want to acknowledge and express thanks to God for the gift of the Holy Spirit in our world from so far in the past to our present time. The art of translation and interpretation is one of the Spirit's gifts, without which we cannot imagine where we would be today.

Prayer:
Loving Father in heaven, thank You for the gifts you have put in place so that we may understand You and you may understand us. Thank You for the gift of your Spirit, who continues to work for the benefit of your children, and by extension, mankind. Your desire is for all mankind to come to You and to understand and accept Your Word of life, and hope. You desire for our prayer to be effectual and for our worship to be founded in spirit and in truth. Thank You for the work of the Spirit on our behalf. May our hearts and minds continue to be fertile ground for Your will. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Do enjoy the song below. It is in French, and has always been a beautiful simple song of worship in my playlist. Be blessed 🎧🙏🏽🙂

Tu es le chant (You are the song) [Tabitha Lemaire]