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28 APR: “WAH GWAN”

As I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. Acts 17:23

Today’s Scripture: CLICK TO READ Acts 17:22–32

Dave a minister from America stood before the gathering at a small Jamaican church and said in his best local dialect, “Wah Gwan, Jamaica?” The reaction was better than he expected, as smiles and applause greeted him from the congregation.

In reality, all Dave had said was the standard greeting, “What’s going on?” in Patois [pa-twa], but to their ears he was saying, “I care enough to speak your language.” Of course Dave did not yet know enough Patois to continue, but a door had been opened.

When the apostle Paul stood before the people of Athens, he let them know that he knew their culture. He told them that he had noticed their altar to “an unknown god,” and he quoted one of their poets. Of course, not everyone believed Paul’s message about Jesus’s resurrection, but some said, “We want to hear you again on this subject” (Acts 17:32).

As we interact with others about Jesus and the salvation He offers, the lessons of Scripture show us to invest ourselves in others—to learn their language, as it were—as a way to open the door to telling them the good news (see also 1 Corinthians 9:20–23).

As we find out “Wah Gwan?” in others’ lives, it will be easier to share what God has done in ours.

Reflect & Pray

Show us, Lord, what is important to others. Help us to think of their interests first, and allow opportunities to speak about the love of Jesus.

Before you tell others about Christ, let them see how much you care.

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