Lost in Translation

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.                       2 Corinthians 5:20

In Paul’s day ambassadors would have been required to speak both the language of their king as well as that of the people to whom they were sent. As Christ’s ambassadors we, must not only proclaim, but also translate. I have worked as a translator, so here are a few tips. First, let His message flow! Simply speaking another language doesn’t help us to translate if we get caught up on every detail. We must flow with the message. That is how God wants us to share the gospel. We don’t need to understand everything. Our job is to do the best we can and let it flow!

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Second, don’t change the message. There are times when I am not comfortable with what the person for whom I am translating is saying but I can’t change or leave out the parts I don’t like.  God has called us to carry His entire message to all kinds of people and trust Him. Last, never stop learning! Just because I can adequately translate doesn’t mean I shouldn’t try to improve. As God’s ambassadors we must always be striving to know the language of heaven better. We are called to reach our world. The stakes are eternal. The rewards are immense. How can we do less than our best to speak in ways that reach people desperately in need of Him?

God’s Masterpiece

Masterpiece: a work of outstanding artistry, skill, or workmanship

In Paul’s day artists used iron oxide, lime or even arsenic to create their color pallette They were willing to draw from any source no matter how crude to create beauty. Heaven’s master designer draws His pallette from strange people like us and blends us together to be His masterpiece, the church. So if this morning it seems like you are being painted into a corner with folks who are a bit odd just relax. It may be that today God will apply some brush strokes of a new color in you to show His amazing love to a wondering world!