Verbal and Visual Spiritual Learners

A picture of Capricorn

. Average education level of adults = 9th grade

. Most adults in Capricorn speak Afrikaans as their first language. Jobs often require good English speaking skills. Most newspapers and books are in English because that's the 'common' language. There are variations of Afrikaans spoken - slurred/slang versions are most common in Capricorn.

. Many adults can't read or write proficiently, resulting in lack of confidence, inability to get an upper-level job, etc.

These are just a few factors that have been blatantly obvious to me as to why this is a relational culture. The adults are verbal and visual learners because education isn't a priority (and the standard of education is bleeding over to children/teens). I'm watching this play out spiritually. If you can't read, and especially if you can't read in the language your Bible is written in, then you're really dependent upon what you hear others say about Christ, the words that are preached on a Sunday morning, the examples that are lived out in front of you ... those are the things that communicate the loudest message to the people I work with. We have teens in Afternoon Teen Club that can't write their names or addresses, we have adults that will NOT read aloud in meetings because they either can't or are too embarrassed to mess up. This culture is not internet driven yet. This culture is not reading CNN.com or up to date on the latest technology for faster information into their hands.

I'm realizing how significant it is to live a life worthy of Christ. I'm realizing that the way I interact with someone communicates. This culture looks around them for truth, and Truth isn't always around them. If someone is too lazy to come to church on a Sunday, then they don't get the podcast or sermon notes. If a youth misses a Friday Night Youth Gathering, then they missed their weekly message and missed time to be with like-minded people. Yes, these examples are also true for other countries that are technology-based, but I'm realizing how crucial every interaction can be. We are a walking-Gospel. We must be the hands, feet and mouths of Jesus. Patience, grace and consistency must be in me each day.

I'm praying you live with this sort of urgency in your life too. I don't want to waste one moment to speak life and live out the example of Christlikeness.