You Said WHAT????

When it comes to translating sermons in real time, believe you me, I've heard some doozies. "Milkshake" for Eskimo. "The PEAS of God" for "the peace of God." "The Potato" for "the Pope." And the coup de grâce: the handkerchiefs touched by Paul used to heal the sick called anointed "diapers!"

The worst part? When the boo-boo is voiced and only a handful of the listeners giggle. Were the rest of the congregants listening and just too polite to laugh—or were they simply out to lunch? Fingers crossed it was the first!

While, sadly, I've made my share of translating mistakes, I recently heard something that lifted my spirits. A missionary we hold in high esteem—anointed, highly educated, used mightily by God the world over—confessed he had made a word choice mistake! We were listening to him ministering in Spanish when he stopped for a second before continuing. He explained that his hesitation was due to wanting to make sure he used the correct word for Pilot. He had used the wrong word once and people who heard that sermon were, to this day, still saying Pilot's name wrong!

Misery does indeed love company. There's a kind of relief knowing we're not alone in our mistakes—that even highly intelligent, highly anointed, mightily used by God people can use the wrong word.

But on the heels of that sigh of relief came a surge of joy—the joyful realization that there is One Who NEVER uses the wrong word, Whose Word is ALWAYS sure! This One never, ever has to correct even one of His Words. We can always, always depend on every single thing that comes out of His mouth.

If He says He will be where "two or more" are gathered, you can depend on it. He will be with His followers when they come together, even if there are only a minuscule two. If He says, "I have loved you," then depend on it, He loves you. If He says, "all things work together for the good of those that love him," then you can depend on it—no matter how incredible it might seem, His master plan is working everything out for your good!

Of course, you know Who that Someone is. Jesus. The best and most accurate purveyor of God's Word, God's very Word made flesh. No mistakes ever.

That's something you can always bank on!

"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father," full of grace and truth" (John 1:14).

"We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts' (2 Peter 1:19).

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