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“A Map Needing No Translation”

Thoughts for Today:

Several months ago, following a ministry filled week in India, the group I was with had a day off. The leader broke us into groups of two and told us it was our responsibility to make our way back to the hotel in time for dinner. I didn't think it was going to be much of a problem because I had a map and generally good idea of where we were and where we wanted to go. It was uneventful day until it was time to return to the hotel. My partner and I approached a group of motorized rickshaws and explained to the manager where we wanted to go. He summoned one of the drivers, pointed in the direction of the hotel, and off we went.

All was fine for the first ten minutes. Then I realized we were moving farther and farther away from our intended destination. Ultimately it took an hour and a half to get to our hotel -- a trip that should have taken fifteen minutes. Clearly we had a communication problem. A language barrier. I tried speaking slower to our driver, then with simpler words (I even threw in a little Spanish). My partner attempted an Indian accent. Nothing worked. We didn't know his language and he didn't know ours. Thank God we had a map that needed no translation. Otherwise we might still be wandering the streets of New Delhi.

In our passage today, Paul illustrates the difficulty of communicating when a language barrier exists. As this applies to spiritual gifts, he has been instructing us to concentrate on the gifts that build up the church. Not ones that lead to confusion and disarray.

Questions to Ponder:

Paul has given us specific directions related to the use of spiritual gifts. But without a map we can still get lost. The Bible is our map. It is our source of inspiration, security and promise. Is the Bible your higher authority? Does it confirm your direction? Do you need to get back on the right path?

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About the author

Pocket Devotions are written by Mike Brooks. A retired businessman, he is Moderator of South Shores church, leads the Deacon Board, serves on the finance committee, and he teaches a Men's Bible study and the Men's Ministry. Mike has a passion for evangelical missions. He is the husband of Sherry; the father of Ryan, Natalie, Krissy, Rebecca, and Amanda; the father-in-law of Ariel; and the grandfather of Conner and Christian.