This is a sign I stare at every time I am on the elliptical machine at the local fitness center.
You in the fitness. It doesn’t fail to bring a smile. Me, in the fitness.
But more than that, it points to how tricky language can be. How nuanced. How loaded. Something so right in one language can sound so very wrong in another.
I stare at it and think of what my heart language, my native tongue, should have been: LOVE, FAITH, HOPE, CONTENTMENT.
But instead I learned to speak the foreign language of hatred, disbelief, despair, and discontentment.
We were meant for paradise. For harmony. For love. But we doubted, and that doubt led to disobedience which led to death and brokenness. And that which should have been my native tongue became a foreign one.
I so often miss that brokenness was never meant to come so naturally to me and certainly not from me. It wasn’t meant to come so easily to those around me either. But it does. We must learn to speak how we should have been speaking all along.
A major lie that has been sown far and wide is that we can’t speak it fluently, so why try.
But here’s the truth, as with any language, I can learn. You can learn. We can learn. Our vocabulary can be added to. The grammar of love can be studied and played with. New ways of looking at a concept can be cultivated.
I am growing in my ability to speak how the perfected me will speak one day. But like that cloudy mirror mentioned to the Corinthians, too often I have a thick tongue. What I mean to say comes out the spiritual version of, “You in the fitness.”
Forgiveness enormous more than pointing.
Patience more better than swish.
God is so colleague better.
You in the fitness. You in the broken Eden. Read this sign and be encouraged. You will not always speak so brokenly, so woundingly, so awkwardly. Begin to try now to speak how you will speak then.
To speak your true native language, the language of Eden.
What new faith vocabulary are you learning these days?
Oh, yes Amy! I love, love, love this post. I (in the fitness) will try, try to speak silken words of love and hope. Enormous thanks.
Trying with you! One word (no matter how awkward) at a time!
I can remember reading books about awkward translations into English. My friend and I laughed so hard we cried.
But I love your spiritual connection here. I’ve never thought of my thought patterns and habits as a language like that, but it makes sense. It’s a growth process to learn to live in a totally different way – a totally redeemed way.
Loren, if you could hear me in Chinese … you’d know how gracious so many are with me! This life of faith is “yi bu yi bu” (step by step)!
I loved that sign you look at every day. We have also laughed at many English signs and brochures in Turkey and laughed just as you have. Interesting to think that those signs we read are probably similar to what people here when they listen to US SPEAK THEIR NATIVE LANGUAGE!
I love your spiritual application about our heavenly, heart language.
As one who has said many an idiotic-sounding thing in my second language, I so appreciate the sign. What an effort (and really, no native English speakers who could proof read?). It just has me giggling tonight.
But you draw great truth. Forgiveness enormous more than pointing.
Such a wonderful post and it makes me think about how much I have learned from other cultures. I need to be taken out of the box to see things differently sometimes and get the message like you did here. Nice to meet you Amy, thanks for visiting my place too.
Likewise! I’m glad I discovered your blog. Amy
I love this post! So thoughtful and well-composed. Thank you!!!
I am so glad you ‘stumbled’ upon my blog Heart Choices. Your comment was very comforting to me as I’m going through this move. How like our God to bring just what I needed to read at just the right moment.
I realize that I shouldn’t make such a big deal since I’m not moving to an entirely different culture. I guess it’s all a matter of perspective. After all, this isn’t my permanent home; I’m just passing through.
Debbie, it’s hard regardless! Moving is just hard. And it IS a big deal. That’s OK. But it’s also helpful to remember that this isn’t our permanent home — holding these two realities in tension. Amy
This is so very thought provoking…and so true! We are meant to speak a better language than the one that so often comes from our hearts and lips. However, praise God! The more we come to know Him and develop a relationship with Him, the better our language becomes! Words of love will replace those of hate and actions of selflessness will replace selfishness! I pray that the more I come to know and love my Savior, my language becomes the Fruit of the Spirit! –love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control!
Blessings, Joan
P.S. Thanks for linking up with Sharing His Beauty today!
What an encouraging post!!! One day we will all speak God’s language of love so fluently, but for now we are learning. Thank you for this post!
I live in Hungary and will be teaching a session on language learning this summer to E.European nationals preparing to serve cross- culturally. Could I use your article?
Wini, Yes, please! And feel free to use the other one as well (I’ve got a third in the series that will come out this next week). Amy