You can trust what he says, because his words are in your language
By Dean Collins
I don’t know if I was ever really in any danger, but I didn’t know what to do next. Through a mix-up at the travel agency, my ticket to Delhi wasn’t direct, but my travel partner’s was. He went to Delhi, and I flew to Bombay (now Mumbai) and changed planes to fly to Delhi.
We had been in the southern part of India for a week, having traveled in a group to get there. Now I was on my own. This was my first international travel experience, and I will admit to being a little anxious. And my nervousness grew when my plane was delayed. When we finally arrived in Bombay, the situation felt very chaotic to me. We deplaned in what seemed like the middle of a runway and then we were wedged inside a couple large buses for transport to the terminal. When we finally got off the bus, I was lost and confused. There are many English speakers in Bombay, but I was having trouble finding one. Finally I found my bags and after looking at my watch knew I had likely missed the flight to Delhi.
He spoke my language
I could not find the gate to catch the next plane when suddenly an Indian gentleman hurried toward me and asked, “Are you going to Delhi?”
I said yes, and he replied, “Come with me.” I didn’t know him but I could understand him, and we began to run. He flagged a rickshaw and threw my luggage in and we sped to the other airport. No one had told me there were two airports! When we got to the airport, he said, “Give me your luggage, because we won’t make the flight if you go through customs with luggage.” I didn’t know the man or where I was, but hearing language I understood comforted me and gave me hope.
When we finally got to the plane, they were boarding in two places. He went one way, and I went the other. He yelled across the runway, “Find me when we land, and I will get you your luggage .“ In Delhi he spotted me, gave me the luggage, and walked away. Eventually I found my way to my traveling buddy for the rest of the trip.
They spoke their language
I remembered this incident again as I read Acts chapter 2, because hearing a familiar language was as central to that story as it was to mine.
Imagine the scene. After the 120 faithful followers of Jesus had prayed and waited for a few weeks, they were likely surprised and anxious when the sound of a rushing wind grew louder and louder. It was loud enough that those outside could also hear it. And then the sounds turned to what appeared to be fire over the heads of the apostles, a visual as disturbing as the sounds. People from Rome, Africa, Mesopotamia, and the surrounding regions nervously watched.
Then the apostles began to speak, and the murmuring spread. “How is it that these country bumpkins are speaking and we are hearing this in our own native languages?” I’m guessing the comfort of someone speaking in their heart language in the midst of chaos was as calming to that crowd as the Indian gentleman’s English was to me that day in Bombay. Whatever he told me I was determined to follow. He gave me a path forward. Peter did the same on Pentecost. His words didn’t point people to a plane. His words introduced the Savior.
His words didn’t point people to a plane. His words introduced the Savior.
There were skeptics in the crowd for sure. Some thought these uneducated apostles had been up early and already at the bar. But most were riveted by the message of the Savior named Jesus. Peter was clear and direct about both who Jesus was and what he had already accomplished. And conviction came quickly. The previously confused and frightened crowd responded with, “What does this mean?” immediately followed with, “What shall we do?” And the answer was clear and correct: “Repent and be baptized...and save yourselves from this crooked generation. “
And not just a few eagerly did exactly that. About 3,000 joined the the 120 that day. Immediately they started their discipleship training and continued regularly by listening to the apostles’ teaching. They also ate together, hung out together, and prayed together daily. And daily they watched the transformation in each other and the change that following Jesus brought to the world.
He’s speaking your language, too
I don’t know what you will hear today that might grab your attention. I don’t know what we will see today that makes us curious. But I know that in the middle of the madness and chaos of our world, Jesus is still at work. The Holy Spirit is still moving, and if you listen, he will speak to you today in language that is clear and direct. Just like my Indian helper 25 years ago in Bombay, Jesus calls out today. He is strong enough to handle whatever baggage we have been carrying. And he knows the way, even when we can’t see the next step in front of us.
Whenever we are unsure, our best response is to repent and follow Jesus. He will get us the rest of the way—not only to your next destination, but also to your ultimate home.
Trust his voice. He speaks your language.
Your time with God’s Word
Acts 2:7-13, 32-33, 36-47 ESV
To receive daily posts delivered directly to your inbox, complete the form at the bottom of our home page.
To download a printable version of today’s post, click here.
