If
you don’t speak words your audience can easily understand, how are they to
know? You’ll be talking to yourself. There are so many kinds of languages. Each
one is important. (1 Corinthians 14:9-10)
People everywhere understand and enjoy
stories. Stories communicate life. They relate deep truths in a comfortable
way. But, stories must relate to the everyday experience of the listener or
they do not communicate. Do you know your people? Do you understand how they
view the world and their lives in that world? If not, how will you tell your
story in a way they will understand? Visions, values, interpretations; all of
these are important. They communicate truth. But, the stories you tell, and the
way you teach these truths must be relevant to everyday life or they will just
be words.
Paul is talking to people whom he suspects
are trying to elevate themselves – become important in their church – by
speaking in tongues. He explains to them that they are communicating with no
one unless they speak in a way that their audience will understand.
Exert the effort. Do the work you must do to
know your people. Understand their lives so that you can tell your story in
clear and meaningful ways.
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