Foolishness

In our house here in Cambodia, we have small a/c units in each of our bedrooms. From time to time they need to be cleaned and serviced in order to work efficiently and to assure that they will actually blow cold air. So yesterday I had a couple of maintenance guys who work at our school come an take a look at them for me. They told me that indeed they should be serviced and cleaned. So I asked when they thought they could come back and take care of them for me. These guys are young and motivated and they also like to practice their English with me. But when he gave me a response to my question, I was a bit confused. He told me in clear English, "We will come yesterday afternoon to clean your a/c units". In English I replied, "Do you mean you will come tomorrow afternoon?" He assured me that they would indeed come "yesterday" afternoon. Now I knew they were motivated and eager to please, but getting the job done a day before you show up would have been a new record.

Just to make sure we were both on the same page (not that I seriously thought that they had done it "yesterday") I then confirmed in Khmer "Do you mean you will come tomorrow afternoon?" Then he smiled and said "Yes, tomorrow". Whew, I was relieved that we cleared that up. We all enjoyed a moment of levity, which was fun. 

However, that brief conversation reminded me of what we are up against as we try to share the Gospel with those around us, whether we are in Cambodia or America...or anywhere else. We can have the words rehearsed perfectly and say them flawlessly but what is heard by the other person when they come out may simply be foolishness. You may be communicating clearly in your mind and know exactly what you want the other party to understand but still at times it may be simply incomprehensible to the hearer. The entire situation brought to mind the verse "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God" 1 Corinthians 1:18. 

The same message gets varied responses based upon who the hearer is. This realization has caused me to have a lot more grace on individuals in both types of circumstances. Whether they speak a different native language or they have not yet come to as saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, you can't expect someone to respond the way you would want them to if they are simply not understanding what you are communicating.  I have experienced that firsthand being on both sides of the communication and when words sound like foolishness to you, it is nice to have a grace-filled person on the other side of the words.

A fun video that relates to the above blog. Some levity for your day.