Failing Words
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
-Romans 8:26-27
Friends,
Ever feel like your words fail to express what you want to say? It’s strange that so often the most important things are the hardest to say. We want people to understand us, and we try to explain our deepest thoughts and feelings but wonder if people really comprehend.
I was thinking about this as I listened to Bishop Nathan Amooti speak to our Wednesday Evening Prayer Service about his ministry in Rwanda. He told us about how the Gospel was taking root amongst a people who are still recovering from the horrors of genocide and civil war of the ‘90s. He talked of the school that he started with the help of folks from University that now educates 900 students every day. As he spoke, he would pause and with a smile say, “I hope you can understand me with my accent.” The truth is Bishop Amooti’s English was perfectly clear, but even if it had not been, I think I understood his laugh well enough to know his heart. Beneath, behind and in the words he spoke was a clear love for the person and cause of Christ. While it may seem silly, I believe I would have known it if I had only heard him laugh. He radiated holy joy.
We are called to understand and tell the story of how God’s love has changed us, how Jesus has saved us, and how God has a plan of redemption for this broken and hurting world. We all tell it with an accent, and that is a good thing. God speaks every language humans have conjured and more importantly, as Romans 8 reminds us, God understands the depth and desperation of our hearts where words fail.
So this week let’s worry less and celebrate more. God is good, and the story is true. Let us tell it together in word and deed and trust that God translates the truth to hearts open to receive it…including ours.
Blessings,
Ben
For more information on Bishop Amooti’s work check out:
Rwanda-Shines.com