We read an amazing story in Acts chapter 2. The followers of Jesus were all together in one place waiting on the Lord in prayer after His ascension. There were about 120 of them, including the women who followed Jesus. Then, suddenly, they were all filled with the Holy Spirit manifest in what looked like cloven tongues of fire. And they began speaking in tongues.

There were God-fearing people of different nations in Jerusalem at the time – listed in Acts 2:9-11.
 
It says in Acts 2:7 and 11
Utterly amazed, they asked: “Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language? … We hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!”
 
Then Peter stood up and preached the Gospel to them, they put their faith in Christ and were baptised. “… and about three thousand were added to their number that day.”(Acts 2: 41)
 
Wow! The disciples went from 120 Jews who believed in Jesus as their Messiah, to 3 120 people of different nations in the new-born church!
 
On that day of Pentecost God added 3 000 to 120 – all the races, tribes and ethnicities mixed together into one church. Those who were apart before were united by the Holy Spirit through the blood of Jesus shed on the cross.
 
We may not understand all the languages of the different ethnicities around us, but we can recognise it when a brother or sister in Christ speaks in tongues. The language of the Holy Spirit proclaims the wonderful works of God.
 
Once we start speaking the language of the Holy Spirit, our diversity becomes our strength. Let’s ponder that during this September as Heritage month.