Breaking the Language Barrier with Love

I wish — oh, how I wish — I could speak fluent Spanish! Not just a few phrases or scattered words, but enough to truly connect with my dear Spanish-speaking friends. Enough to share a conversation, pray with them, and most importantly, share Jesus in their heart language.

While in Cabo, I kept my phone’s translator handy. It was so helpful to have a little conversation with our Uber drivers and others. I want to be intentional about how much I care about what they care about — their family, where they live, etc.

I’ve got the “buenos dias” and the “buenas tardes” and the “muy caliente” down! I’ve picked up a little more here and there — “Dios te bendiga (God bless you), Jesús te ama (Jesus loves you), vamos a orar (let’s pray).” But I want more. More than polite exchanges. More than nods and smiles. I want the words that say, I see you. I love you. You matter to me.

Language has a way of bridging gaps, opening doors, and softening hearts. It says, “You are worth the effort.” And isn’t that the very heart of Christ? He didn’t stay distant, expecting people to come to Him on His terms. He came to us. He walked among us. He spoke in a way that reached each person where they were.

On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit empowered the disciples to speak in the languages of all who were gathered (Acts 2:4-6). Why? Because God wanted every nation, tribe, and tongue to hear the Good News in a way they could understand.

That same Spirit moves today, stirring hearts to reach beyond barriers — cultural, linguistic, and otherwise — to share His love.

Paul wrote, “I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.” (1 Corinthians 9:22) Learning a new language, even a little at a time, is one way we live this out. It’s an act of love, an expression of care, and a way to reflect the heart of Jesus, who stepped into our world so that we might know Him.

So, I will keep learning. I will keep praying. And I will keep trusting that every “gracias”, every “Jesús te ama”, every imperfectly spoken phrase carries the love of Christ, which needs no translation.

Love in any language, straight from the heart, pulls us all together, never apart. And once we learn to speak it, all the world will hear. Love in any language — fluently spoken here.