Photograph by Jodie Righos via Unsplash

In the letter to the Philippians, the Apostle Paul reminded the citizens of Philippi then, and us today, to never forget how to share and receive love, and what brings deep agape to Christ as we interact with one another. We read in Philippians 2:1-4, “Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort in love, any sharing in the Spirit, any sympathy, complete my joy by thinking the same way, having the same love, being united, and agreeing with each other. Don’t do anything for selfish purposes, but with humility think of others as better than yourselves.  Instead of each person watching out for their own good, watch out for what is better for others.” (CEB). I count more than seven action verbs in these four verses in this translation. If I were to use it to facilitate a contemplative practice of Lectio Divina, I would most likely invite hearers to let the action verbs, words, and phrases linger in their hearts. If this translation is unfamiliar to you, I invite you to read it over. What do you find yourself pausing with?

Whenever Scripture speaks to my heart in a unique way, I like to read it in various translations. At times, I may find myself deciding to read it in another language I am fluent in. As a global citizen, with lived experiences in several cross-cultural settings, God’s good news beckons me to hear and read Scripture through a cross-cultural lens. I offer for your reading the same passage from the First Nations version: “As you walk the road with the Chosen One, have you gained from him courage for the journey? Have you found comfort in his love? Do you share together in his Spirit? Has his tenderness and mercy captured your heart? If so, then have the same kind of thoughts. Love with one heart. Join together in one Spirit. And walk side by side on one path. This will make my heart leap for joy. But when you do these things, make sure you do them for the right reasons. Do not let selfish ways take you down a path of bragging or trying to look better than others. Instead, let humility be your guide as you honor others above yourself. Each of you should look to the needs of others, not just to your own.”

This new translation of the New Testament may be unfamiliar to some readers. I encourage you to pause a tad longer with it and discover what your heart lingers next to.

What might this translation inform you about the relationships that surround you?

As we read both texts, we recognize strong sentiments of humility, servanthood, love, generosity, compassion, brotherhood, and sisterhood. Even though these two versions were brought to life at different times, I invite readers to hear the cultural nuances being spoken about.

During this month of June, I pause to remember my departed earthly father, and join others whose grief may be much more recent than mine. I treasure the cherished moments where knowledge, wisdom, family history, encouragement, and sacred questions were elicited. Because of the gentle conversations I remember having with my father, I find comfort in juxtaposing these two translations. It is like a call and response that is taking place between these two versions. A question surfaces with a verse and a response is elicited through the same verse from a different version. I had many questions about life, God, and our surroundings, and my father would be patient in guiding me through my own paths to discern answers.

I understood that him responding to God’s call to serve in economic development, as an agronomist in Haiti, in five African countries, and in Italy, came at a sacrifice. It enables our family to experience cultural ways, embrace the full meaning of third culture life, live harsh segregated realities, and yet be grateful for the sacred seeds of education, faith, and love that were planted in all of us. My father’s servant heart never wavered as he faced adversities. His strong walk of faith was an incredible life lesson for my siblings and for me. Serving with love was not easy for him then, is not easy for us now, and will likely not be easy for my grandchildren either. A multilingual college-educated global Black family does not fit a conventional mold. We rejoice as we uphold God’s truth, to being made in God’s image.

This Scripture passage is one I have brought forth in many trainings I have facilitated, preaching I delivered, and preparation of volunteers, students, and servant leaders I accompanied. It is a passage that I believe invites many to acknowledge God’s love for greater unity in humanity. It pushes us all to strive to embrace God’s immense view of global love. We scream with deep lament in the face of chasms made by human fragility, insecurities, and self-centeredness in lieu of treasuring sacred relationships.

In closing, I offer what was passed down to me by my father, who most likely heard it from his elders, that regardless of who is before you, you are also before someone else. How we stand reflects how others see God in us, and how we see God in others. Therefore, let us strive to honor our creator by serving with tender mercy, integrity, love, and compassion, always attempting to make right wherever a wrong has been committed. May love be our unity.