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In Other Words

Psalm 100:1:
“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.”

“What we’ve got here, is a failure to communicate.” Remember that line from the old Paul Newman movie, “Cool Hand Luke?”

At Bethesda, communication is a big issue. Our prayer is that the Holy Spirit enables us to speak in a way that the people who live here are able to understand the truths of God’s Word that we seek to share, teach and preach. Even in everyday activities, it can be difficult to talk to and understand people. Some individuals are able to only say a few words, and some may be unable to talk at all. Some may only be able to make sounds that only God can understand. You may have experienced this when trying to speak to someone who doesn’t speak English. Both of you are trying to communicate “in other words.”

The challenge is to preach and teach God’s Word so that people with developmental disabilities can understand the truths of God’s Word. The inability to get feedback from people makes it difficult for us to know what they are truly hearing and understanding. From my years at Bethesda, I have come more than ever to realize how complete our reliance upon the Holy Spirit is to reach the heart of anyone, be they someone with a developmental disability or not. It is God Who opens the heart and enables the heart to believe in Jesus.

Last December at our Christmas pageant I was privileged to hear an amazing thing. The people Bethesda supports take the parts of Mary, Joseph, shepherds, angels and wise men; and they tell the Christmas story. Between the scenes, they sing Christmas carols.

As we were proceeding through the pageant, the carols were sung at a very low volume. Then we came to the singing of “Silent Night.” I started singing the first verse, and as I sang, I heard a sound rising in volume. At first I didn’t pay much attention to it and just kept on singing. But as the sound increased, I realized what it was. It was the sound of people who could not speak. It was the sound of people praising God with whatever sounds they could make.

I stopped singing and just listened. I was hearing the sounds of people who could not speak or who could speak very limitedly as they praised the Baby Jesus with all their heart and with all their soul and with all their voice! I was moved to tears and just sat there frozen listening to those praises. All these people were communicating, and communicating very effectively, with God. God heard and understood and answered every one of their thoughts, feelings, emotions, prayers and praises, even as they were offered up to Him “in other words.”

Thank You, Lord God, for the ability to praise You “in other words.” When no one else may understand us or our needs, You always do and You always answer us with blessings. Hear us again this Advent season as we praise and thank You for the gift of Jesus and the gift of faith that trusts Him for forgiveness and eternal life in Heaven. Amen.