Not Greek to God

Read: Acts 17:24-27

Allison sang out the words of a song. “Yesu yana kaunar yara.”

“What language is that?” asked her friend Gianna. “Like my grandma always says when she doesn’t understand something, it’s Greek to me!”

Allison laughed. “It’s not Greek,” she said. “It’s Hausa—a language spoken in Africa. I learned that song from my Aunt Mary, who’s a missionary in Nigeria.”

“What does it mean?” Gianna wanted to know.

“It means ‘Jesus, He loves the children,’” Allison explained.

“Oh, those sound like the words to a song Mom taught me when I was little,” Gianna said. “It’s called ‘Jesus Loves the Little Children.’ The tune sounded familiar too.”

Allison nodded. “Aunt Mary teaches a class of Nigerian girls who are the same age as we are. She says one girl reminds her of me.”

“Really?” said Gianna. “My dad always teases me and says I’m one-of-a-kind. How are you and the other girl alike?”

“Well, Aunt Mary says one way we’re alike is that we both love Jesus,” replied Allison. “And she says we act alike and are interested in a lot of the same things. We’re going to write to each other, and Aunt Mary will translate for us. It’ll be fun having a Nigerian pen pal!”

“Cool! I guess we’re not as different from kids in other countries as we think we are,” said Gianna.

Allison shook her head. “Aunt Mary always reminds me that we’re all the same to the Lord. He loves Nigerian children—and all the children in the world—just like He loves us.”

“Right,” said Gianna. “Just like your song said. How did that go? Sing it again.”

Allison sang the words again, and she laughed as Gianna tried it too.

“That’s okay. You can laugh at me,” said Gianna. “I bet the Nigerians would laugh at you!”

“You’re probably right,” said Allison. “But that’s okay. God understands—even when we mispronounce all the words. It’s not Greek to Him.”

“Let’s make it a duet,” suggested Gianna. So they started singing together.

–Linda Weddle

How about you? Did you know there are children all over the world who love the Lord? They’re like you in many ways. They read the same Bible and memorize many of the same verses and even sing some of the same songs, but in a different language. Always remember that Jesus loves all the children everywhere just like He loves you.

Today's Key Verse: Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me…God’s kingdom belongs to people who are like these children.” Matthew 19:14 (ERV)

Today's Key Thought: God loves you and all children