Translating God’s Message

Jacob rolled a piece of paper into a ball, took aim, and flicked it toward Cody in the row ahead. It hit its mark, but by the time Cody looked around, Jacob was staring straight ahead. Next to him, Mateo snickered.Jacob was glad Mateo had come to church with him today. Usually he declined, saying church stuff didn't make sense to him, but Jacob had convinced him that today's special guest, a missionary from Africa, would be interesting.Something the missionary said caught Jacob's attention--but he didn't understand a word of it. Mr. Mensah spoke in one of Africa's tribal languages. "How many of you understood what I said?" he asked a moment later. When no one raised a hand, Mr. Mensah asked his son to translate as he spoke in the foreign language again. His son repeated his words in English, so this time all the kids understood."In Africa, we translate the Bible into languages of several different tribes so the people can read and listen to it in their own tongue," said Mr. Mensah. "But people still need to learn what it means, so we translate God's message to them in another way too--through our lives. We not only tell them what it means to know Jesus--we show them by letting His love be seen in everything we do. We help them with their work, treat them fairly, share with them, help them solve problems, and are kind to them." Mr. Mensah looked around the group. "Maybe you have friends who aren't Christians." Out of the corner of his eye, Jacob looked at Mateo. "How can you translate to them what it means to know Jesus?" asked Mr. Mensah.Cody raised his hand. "By sharing our stuff.""By forgiving them when they say something mean," someone else suggested."By bringing them to church," Jacob said, sitting up a little straighter. But he felt his face go red when he heard someone else say, "By sitting quietly so they can pay attention and hear the message."Mr. Mensah nodded. "Good! Let's ask God to help us all be good translators of His Word so others can know who He is and what He's done for them."- Hazel W. Marett