Of the 8B people alive in the world today, 3.4B live in unreached groups with little or no access to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. According to the Joshua Project, there are approximately 17,446 unique people groups in the world, with 7,391 considered unreached (over 42% of the world’s population).
Eighty percent of the world’s population identify as oral learners, many of whom live in unreached people groups. While many oral learners cannot read, some prefer to learn orally. Of the 5.7B oral learners in the world (those who are entirely illiterate, functionally illiterate, visually impaired, hearing impaired, or simply part of an oral culture), 1/2 of them are children.
Oral learners make up 2.7B of the world’s remaining unreached people groups. 2B of them are without the Old Testament, and 1,800 are without a single verse of the Scripture in their heart language.
Toward that end, and representing unfoldingWord, I have been working with other translation partners over the course of two weeks to be trained in creating theologically formative content that’ll aid in oral learners being equipped to translate the Bible for themselves!
And while it has been a beautiful, rewarding, and challenging experience, I have struggled.
I have been dealing with severe imposter syndrome while here. I’ve felt wholly inadequate for this kind of work, primarily because I’m the only one here without a background in the biblical languages. I’m not a linguist, and I’m the only one here without an MDiv, and I’m not a doctoral student, or a PhD. Suffice it to say my colleagues are some of the brightest minds in translation consultant work.
An hour ago, I submitted my first oral draft for 1 Thes. 2:9-13 to the co-creator of this oral Bible translation process that has been used all over the world. Not only did she give me great feedback in the meeting we had by telling me what I submitted was precisely what they were looking for, but she said that I have the most beautiful writing. This script (and all of what we all produce here) will eventually be converted into audio files that will used for oral Bible translation around the world, predominantly in churches among unreached people groups.
I’ve said all of that to say this: I have never felt qualified or adequate enough to undergird my saying yes to Jesus wherever He has led me. Never. I’ve always felt like I’ve bitten off more than I can chew.
Today, while experiencing several bouts with doubt and writer’s block, the Spirit reminded me of Paul’s words:
”Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God.“ —1 Cor. 1:26-29 (NLT)
”When I came to you, brothers and sisters, announcing the mystery of God to you, I did not come with brilliance of speech or wisdom. I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. My speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of wisdom but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not be based on human wisdom but on God’s power.“ —1 Cor. 2:1-5
I felt that the remarks made in the meeting were merely a tangible affirmation of these passages and a warm embrace from my Heavenly Father.
Beloved, whatever the Lord is calling you to, know that He is faithful to equip you by the power of His Spirit for His glory alone. All we can bring to any table is our love and devotion to Him, a love for His word, a desire to make His Name and gospel known, and a teachable spirit. We can (and should) have audacious faith and, with joy, say a resounding yes to Him in every area because “..it is God who is working in you both to will and to work according to His good purpose.“ —Phil. 2:13
Be encouraged! Grace and peace to you in Christ Jesus, my dear brothers and sisters.
