Communicating Across Cultures
Devotional week 44
Right from the start the message of the gospel has been communicated to people from different cultures. On the day of Pentecost many jews and proselytes from the diaspora where gathered in Jerusalem and heard the disciples speak about the wonderful works of God in there own language! Thus they could understand what was said to them. Language is the most important tool of communication, but it's not the only thing we need to consider when sharing the good news to someone from a different culture; we also need to take into consideration their worldview and cultural customs.
My Voice and His Word — Communicating Like Jesus in a Digital Age
Devotional week 43
As long as I can remember, I always felt misunderstood. This has not changed much in the last couple of years, but my relationship with God did. I am much more secure in who I am, the way God made me, and I am not longing for everyone to understand me, but my people, the ones I love and the ones that work with me or serve in our community, that's a different story.
Communicating with Purpose: Reflecting Christ at Work
Devotional week 42
Christ is called the “Word” because He is the living Word of God, through whom the Father reveals Himself, creates, and communicates with us. In John 1, the Greek term Logos shows that Jesus is the perfect revelation of God’s character and will, the agent of creation, and the purpose that gives meaning to life. When He became flesh, the Word made God’s love visible and accessible, showing that in Christ, God speaks to us personally and transformatively.
When Words Travel Too Fast
Devotional week 41
Today, while watching a YouTube video on how to grow beetroot in tropical climates, I noticed something I had seen before but never really thought about. The creator had written in the video description: “Please keep your comments respectful.” I have come across this in other videos, but this time it caught my attention because I thought How complicated relationships have become that even a simple gardening video needs rules for communication! I assumed everyone watching was like me, only there to learn more about growing beetroot! But clearly, that is not always the case.
The Power of Active Listening
Recently, in prayer, I was reminded of my own stubbornness, much like a toddler wanting to do things my way, only to later wonder why I struggle to hear God. This led me to see that I approach interactions with people similarly—focusing on my own agenda instead of truly listening. It is a humbling realization that challenges me to communicate more thoughtfully as a Christian professional.
Reflecting Christ’s Love and Truth in Everyday Conversations
In today’s world, the idea of “truth” can feel like a moving target. People often talk about “my truth” as if it changes based on personal feelings, opinions, or the latest news. However, for the Christian, there is only one absolute truth: God’s Word. God is truth, and His declarations are eternally true. Effective communication requires us to be mindful of what we say, with a commitment to uphold this absolute truth.
No fancy words needed to spread the good news!
I was devastated after I did my first professional analysis. The report showed many strong aspects, but when assessed on communication skills, it read: "We suggest that this person should not be in a management position overseeing people; in fact, even animals will run away.