“When they heard this noise, a large crowd gathered. They were all excited, because each one of them heard the believers speaking in his or her own language. In amazement and wonder they exclaimed, “These people who are talking like this are Galileans! How is it, then, that all of us hear them speaking in our own native languages?”

(Acts 2.6-8 GNB)

It is heartwarming when travelling in a foreign land and we meet a local who speak our language. Or vice versa, when we meet a foreigner who just arrived and she / he speaks our language. We feel we are better connected, even if we end up conversing in English in the end.

Telling the good news about Jesus is also better when using language and vocabulary that people can relate in their cultural context. Bible translation is important. And preaching and writing that fits the cultural context are also important. And so is activity that takes account cultural sensitivity of the people who are being outreached.

Lord
please help me be sensitive
to the diverse cultural context
around me
so Christ’ love, through me, can reach their innermost heart