Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

 

If you’ve ever traveled to a foreign country, you’ve likely come across a confusing translation. Because each language expresses itself uniquely, there’s not always a direct translation for what someone is trying to communicate.

 

When the American fast-food chain Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) expanded its operations into China, KFC wanted to translate their famous slogan, “Finger-lickin’ good,” into Chinese as part of their branding strategy. But when directly translated, the slogan became “We’ll Eat Your Fingers Off”–obviously carrying a completely different and unintended meaning![1]

 

While that’s a lighthearted example, our well-intentioned efforts to communicate with each other can end in disaster! So, what’s the solution? Should we never try to interact with those different from ourselves?

 

The answer is two-fold: love and teachability. The Bible’s says, “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).

 

Would it describe you if you substituted your name in the place of “love” in that passage? This description of love shows us how to persistently try with others, enduring patiently with kindness and without malice.

 

Is there someone you’ve had a misunderstanding with that you need to continue loving today? Perhaps, you need to set aside your pride and listen to them to see what got lost in translation. Love makes mistakes and keeps trying.

 

[1] Stampler, Laura. “The 11 Worst Foreign Ad Translation Fails.” Business Insider, 18 May 2012, Accessed here: https://www.businessinsider.com/worst-foreign-ad-translation-fails-2012-5