The Gospel is so accessible in the English language. As a North American, I have never struggled to find a Bible, church service, or even devotional in my language. YALL— this is SUCH a PRIVILEGE. How often do we take this for granted?
Since living in Panama, my eyes have been opened to the weight of my privilege. I do not say this to invoke guilt, but to instead shift perspective to be aware of the reality of many people in our world. People everywhere, in many countries, have never heard the Gospel in their own language. Think about hearing about Jesus and his sacrifice for you only through a translator— this can portray salvation as a western idea. If we can access it in our language, is it only intended for our people? While we know the answer to this question (obviously no) many people struggle to see the relevance of the Gospel when it is communicated in a language that is not their own.
There is power in language.
The team that I have had the opportunity to work with at Jucum Panama has a passion for breaking down language barriers and giving people the Gospel in a way that they can understand. During evangelism, we were often given SIM cards to hand out (even in impoverished areas, a large number of people have phones). Many of the indigenous communities in Panama have never heard the Bible directly communicated in their tribal language. However, these SIM cards contain a Gospel presentation (in the form of a movie) and many Biblical materials in the local indigenous languages.
Watching these individuals listen to or read the Bible in their own language, often for the first time without a translator, was incredibly powerful. I cannot accurately describe what it was like. I watched people light up at the realization that they could actually understand the Bible without a translator. Their attitude and demeanor completely shifted when they realized we weren’t just trying to translate some westernized Gospel, but instead share with them a beautiful love story that was intended just for them, just for their language.
Although the Lord does work through encounters that involve foreigners and a translator (and this is much of what I have done in this season), we cannot negate the power of hearing the Good News in your own language— spoken as it was directly intended for you and your people (because it is!!).
Ephesians 2:17-18 says, “He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we have access to the Father by one Spirit.”
What Jucum Panama (and many others around the world) is doing is incredible. There is something incredibly important to witness through their efforts. They see the power of language and are working to utilize resources that recognize this power as well. They see that the Gospel is intended for those who are far from the Lord and those who are near.
The ability to access the Bible and so many resources in the English language is a privilege and not something to take lightly. Walking in religious freedom is such an honor. Even as freedom might be lessening, I would encourage you to take a moment to gain perspective. There are people who have never heard the Gospel in their language. There are people who do not have the freedom to worship the One True God. The small glimpse that I have gotten of this here in Panama has completely shifted my attitude towards how blessed I truly am.
However, as you gain perspective, don’t just stay there. Do something about it. I encourage you to start by educating yourself; by seeing our privilege as those living in the United States and then research those who do not have this privilege. Research, pray, and if you feel led, support!
Language is powerful. And the Father cares about communicating with his children in a way that they can understand.
I don’t want you to leave this blog feeling guilt or shame for having access to the Bible, but instead leave gaining a new perspective. I am learning more and more every day, and will continue to as long as I am seeking the Father’s heart.
We are his hands and feet; so let’s not grow stagnant but instead join the fight for all who do not know his name and do not comprehend that the Good News is for them. Because the Good News is for all nations and all people.
