The Language of Our Lives

The word “language” popped on my horizon early this morning. The litany is long about those who cannot speak the language, and I’m not talking about a native or country “tongue.” Rather, I’m talking about knowing the language of a subject and speaking it with authority. On top of that, “being” what that language teaches.

Professionals and industry workers have a language they speak when talking about their work. Lawyers, Doctors, IT, Truck Drivers, Woodworkers, Architect… You get the picture. If you are talking to someone in a career with special words, phrases, and outlooks, you will never understand until you know the language.

“Dumb it down!” No. I refuse. Instead, I think, “Smarten up!”

Not to be rude, but I’m changing my perspective this morning. Instead of dumbing or smartening, how about learning the local community’s language and learning how to communicate on a different level?

There is a common denominator between those who can and those who cannot. It’s a leveling place.

You will never understand unless you dive into the language to understand or communicate better. Since I’m a communicator, I will step up to the plate and learn the lingo (the vocabulary or jargon of a particular subject or group of people.)

I was thinking about the Language of Peace in my early morning hours. Pick any person you can think of, and if they present peace to the masses, they often pick up the local dialect and speak plainly to be understood. In fact, they probably communicate on many levels to a diverse audience. Or is there a level of language that will speak to all people?

To espouse Peace, one must be peaceful.
Language is not just about words
but also about doing and being what the words say.

Jesus spoke in parables. Those in a position to understand could not comprehend. This fulfilled the prophecy from Isaiah (Isaiah 6:9-10). But his disciples comprehended, or if they did not, they had the position of connection to ask for clarification. (Matthew 13:10-17)

Paul saw an opportunity to speak plainly of Jesus when he found an inscription “…to the unknown God…” on an altar to make sure no god was missed:

Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said,
“Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious;
for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship,
I even found an altar with this inscription:
TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.
Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing,
Him I proclaim to you:
(Acts 17:22-23 NKJV)

God tells the prophet Habakkuk clearly plain writing is necessary. There is no innuendo nor hidden message, but the message is clearly understood in letters large enough that anyone running by may read it in passing.

Then the LORD answered me and said:
“Write the vision And make it plain on tablets,
That he may run who reads it.
(Habakkuk 2:2 NKJV)

Never run from the challenge of picking up a new language. Today, I’m thinking about Peace, but it could also be the Language of Love, Grace, Hope, Joy, Mercy… You get the picture. Learn the language, then live what the language teaches. You espouse the language of your life not just in words but in living and doing.