What Lanuguage Do You Speak?

     I am most definitely not a linguist.  I "speak my Southern English as natural as I please," as the old song says.  I have several friends from other countries.  I listen to them speak and barely can form a word in any of their languages.  I suppose I recognize more Spanish, but that may sadly be due to Sesame Street more than having Catalina in my home for three years.  My friends from Haiti amaze me because, after four years,  I can't even try to start to make words from what they say.  German.  No way. 
     I work with a student from another country.  This child amazes me by being able to read big words.  Today I was helping study for an upcoming test, and she knew the definitions verbatim to almost every word.  I realized, though, that she could recite the words but didn't understand exactly what they meant.  I used some things on our desk to demonstrate the definition of one word.  The look in her eyes when she understood what all those words meant was exciting.  I saw the light come on.  Now it meant something to her.  I was glad to be a part of that moment and encouraged her to keep studying for the test.  She will do well because she will recognize the words. 
     As I left I began to think about how I feel sometimes when I am reading God's Word.  I know the words and can read them well.  Sometimes, though, I don't understand what God was trying to say when he strung all those words together.  A lot of times, actually.  Sometimes it seems like I am trying to read in Spanish or German or Creole or French.  I keep going because I can read the words when I really should be stopping to figure out what they mean.  It can be discouraging.  But I firmly believe that God reveals to us what he wants us to see in scripture at the right time.  I can't and don't understand all of it, but when something applies to my life today, he shines a light on it so bright that it suddenly becomes clear and meaningful to me.  Since he helps me understand, it means something.
     Another thing I thought about was the language of love.  Agape love.  Pure, unconditional, selfless, sacrificial.  The love of Jesus.  I don't always share that.  I should.  It's a language everyone can understand.  When you sacrifice something for the sake of someone else, they notice, though they may not understand why.  When you set your own interests aside for the benefit of another, it means something, at least to you.  When you view someone through the eyes of Jesus rather than your own self-imposed standards of the day, your heart softens and love is easier to give.  It's a choice, you know?  Love.  A verb.  An action.  One definition I read said agape love is "love at its ultimate."  The ultimate selfless, sacrificial act.
     Ultimate love.  The best there is.  That's a language I want to learn to speak!  How about you?  The challenge to you and to me is to be aware of the people who cross our paths each day and to put ourselves aside as we make a choice to love the way God does.  I want to be able to say, "I speak agape love as natural as can be....it's in the heart of Jesus, it's in the heart of me."  Won't you join me on this adventure of learning to speak the language of love?