A Third Language

February 27, 2026

We grabbed an Uber to head from downtown Miami to the water to walk around the Miami Boat Show. It’s fun to immerse yourself in a world that you want to learn more about. We have a fascination with the nautical world and maritime community. Maybe I get my love for the water from Jesus! After all, He spent much of His time near and on the water, specifically the Sea of Galilee.

The ride through the downtown streets of Miami was an adventure, to say the least. Horns were honking everywhere as traffic jams were coming from every angle, lane, and direction. The horns added a whole new level of stress that I was hoping to escape. At one point, I leaned forward and suggested our driver lay on the horn like everyone else just to add to the fun! He laughed and honked too! He said, “You know that’s the third language in Miami!” He continued, “We have Spanish as our first language, then English as our second language, then honking on the streets as our third!” He finished with, “I’m serious!”

That was news to me, but it was quickly evident it was literally the reality in Miami, FL. The persistent honking of horns overshadowed the conversations in the car and loud mufflers and booming speakers in cars next to us. Frustrated drivers were speaking a language all their own with aggressive honking. There were short, consistent bursts; long, continual, unrelenting slams; and gentle, love-tap reminders. It was an unforgettable experience. We finally made it to the water where the views and atmosphere drastically changed. The water instantly calmed our hearts and minds.

We took time to walk the docks and step aboard boats and luxury yachts from monohull sailboats to power catamarans. We toured boats my piggy bank couldn’t even afford a welcome mat for! We learned all about the latest technologies hitting the salted and unsalted seas. Side note: we spoke in English, our first and only language!

At the docks, we could still hear the third language loud and clear. There were still horns honking. As the sun was fading, large cruise ships signaled their departures with long horn blasts and then they exited the port. The horns caught my attention again. One by one, we stopped to watch the floating cities loaded with thousands of people that looked like Lego minifigures waving at a distance peeking out of their balconies and peppered throughout the top deck of the luxurious ship. The cruise ships one by one engaged their bow thrusters, turned on a dime in the harbor, and maneuvered their way out to sea.

They floated out to sea, but it felt like the blow of the loud, deep cruise ship horn kept ringing in my ears as it disappeared into the distance. “A third language,” I thought to myself. Who knew?

I began to wish I knew another language. I admire and respect those who are bilingual, multilingual, or polyglots! I often wish I would have studied another language in school in place of music and voice as my elective emphasis.

As I thought more about it, I realized, though I am not bilingual, there is another language in my head at times. It may not be honking horns or another physical language, but rather the language of self-doubt.

Have you experienced it for yourself? Do you recognize the language? I wonder if it’s second nature or a second language for some of us when it should not be. Are there times you have experienced doubt, low self-esteem, insecurity, or even self-deprecation? Do you immerse yourself in it or dwell in it? Do you linger in feelings like you may be less than, not good enough, not up for the task or assignment, incapable? Do you have trouble believing God will help you and sustain you? Do you let Satan, the Father of Lies, plant seeds of doubt in your mind? He can be good at planting them, but do you nurture them?

When doubts or insecurities arise, we need to remind ourselves who we are in Christ and give ourselves a pep talk! There can be no room for that demeaning language or vocabulary in our lives as children of the King.

Romans 8:37 says, “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (ESV).

The Apostle Paul says in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all this through Him who gives me strength” (NIV).

What is your second, or third, or even fourth language?

As children of God, we are His heirs. Believe it. See it. Speak it! We are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession! Let’s speak the language of the King of Kings and His Kingdom! One of faith, hope, truth, and love! What lies are you believing that must be replaced with God’s Truth? Search the Scriptures and know the Truth; they will set you free!

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