Pentecost

“So how’s you’re Spanish?” One of the top questions I am asked when someone learns I live in Nicaragua. And through God’s grace, I can finally respond that I can communicate well. I can understand most things that are said to me, and normally my response is understood too.

However, that doesn’t always mean it is easy, especially in church. Singing in church is totally relatable! I have the words to read and study. I know the praises we are devoting to our Father. But the lesson is a different story. This week I had the privilege of sitting through a Bible class in English! It was such a blessing. To my ears, my soul and my brain!

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” Acts 2:1-12

Our preacher was not speaking in tongues, but he was speaking in my first language. The crowd was amazed, astonished and bewildered. They understood the apostles without a translator without thinking hard to recall the meaning of the familiar words. They understood because they heard their language. I had a small taste of that amazement this week. It was humbling.

It also causes me to pause reflect on the words I am using, in Spanish and English. Am I using my tongue to declare the “mighty works of God?”

Ladies and Gentlemen. He has done mighty works! He is the supreme Lord. He has carried me through a year of triumphs and tragedies. Praying my words tell of his MIGHT in 2016!