Communication Frustration!

I have come to realize just a bit more the struggles that many in our world experience. As I try to help my son-in-law make his arrangements to go back to Mexico, frustration has set in. Since the death of my daughter his process to become a citizen has become exponentially complicated, and I have unwittingly become his liaison in the process while he is at work. Unfortunately, while the government of the United States requires certain steps, I have had to deal with representatives of Mexico to continue the process. Not a big deal with the technology we have, except I do not speak Spanish…at all. Oh, I’ve picked up a few words, but a handful of greetings will only carry a conversation so far with a consulate representative! I have felt the frustration of wanting to communicate with someone whose language I do not speak and to compound my frustration I have a desperate need to communicate with them. God impressed upon me recently that it is much the same when we share the good news with others. First, there is desperation in our efforts: the implications are eternal. Secondly, while we may think we speak the same language, there are many who do not understand us. At times it’s the generation gap that hinders our communication; at times we use “religious” language that I am not sure all of us “church folk” understand. If we are going to experience any degree of success as we evangelize our communities, we need to speak their language. Sometimes we will need to (re)learn their language; at the very least, we must attempt to understand their language and lifestyle or the only thing we will accomplish is building walls between the community and the church.