This past week I was visiting my family in Boston. It was a great time with a lot of good opportunities. In particular, I was encouraged by one conversation with my grandfather Victor.
Victor is in his 80’s and loves being Polish and Roman Catholic. In the past I my opportunities to talk of Christ and the gospel were filibustered with the skill of a Boston Democrat.
However, this time I was ready. I got out my iPhone and opened up my Google Translator app and made my move. I typed in the words in English and told it to translate to Victor’s tongue. You can probably see me working here.
I begin,
Jesus Christ is God’s Son! He died for our sins
And so he shouts it in Polish (remember he is losing his hearing). I go again,
You are saved by grace alone through faith alone in the finished work of Christ alone!
Again Victor shouts it like a Polish Charles Spurgeon. First in Polish and then in English. I am having a Pentecost moment here.
As the homily continues my grandmother comes in, being quite perplexed at what has become of her husband.
Victor what are you doing? What is wrong with you?
I am talking Polish with the Pastor!
My grandmother said,
10 minutes with Erik and you become a preacher. My goodness
I used this to talk with him more later. It was funny and encouraging. Who would have thought that Steve Jobs’ would have been a bridge for me to talk of Christ’s work.