Language of Love

"How is it we hear, each of us, in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites: those who live in Mesopotamia, in Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the part of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs - we hear them speaking in our own languages the magnificent acts of God." Acts 2:8-11. My grandmother was born in the late 1800's. She spoke German. She seldom travelled beyond a 50 mile radius of her home. This was my dear grandmother's world. Just before embarking for Pakistan we showed her some pictures of our adopted land. She asked, "Do they speak German there?" We replied, "No, they speak Urdu." Fuoad Masri from the Crescent Project (click) explains a similar Islamic dilemma.  "Indeed, We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur'an that you might understand." - Quran 12:2 "Islam claims that the Arabic language is the holy language since it is the language of God. The Quran was revealed in Arabic, then God must speak in Arabic and favors the Arab culture and people... This creates a dilemma: If God created all humans, why will he only speak one language? If the Quran was sent in Arabic, then the message is to those who speak that language, and not anyone else? If the message is in Arabic, then why impose it on other people groups such as the Greeks, Turks, Persians and Africans? How can a message in a language that they do not understand be forced on them?... In Acts chapter 2, the Day of Pentecost signifies that God loves all people and communicates in all languages. All languages are Holy when recited in the power of Christ and for his glory. I am so compelled by the book of Acts to learn to love all people, languages and cultures." Fuoad adds: "Please join us in praying...for Muslims everywhere to learn the true language of heaven, the language of love from Jesus the Messiah." Shortly after I read the above, we went to a conference where the speaker emphasized this exact theme. He said, "In the Bible God asks us only to love the church, our neighbor, and our enemy!" How true. And who is left? Pretty big assignment. But how is this fleshed out? In general terms it means we care for Muslims as human beings. They go through the same emotions and life events Christians do. They have happy moments and sad moments. And we can be there for both of them. Often this leads to natural openings to celebrate, pray for our Muslim friend or even to read appropriate verses. Henry Nouwen speaks of 'being living reminders'. When there is an opportunity we share nuggets of truth with our Muslim friends. But we also send text messages while we travel if this falls on a holiday. We pray for our friends and often tell them we've done so. This is definitely an expression of love. Sometimes we meet our friends in the mall--'living reminder'. Lord give us the grace and readiness to show and speak your 'language of love'--and to show this in many ways that you direct us to...words, hugs, messages, gifts. Amen.