A Voice
In the past month, I’ve witnessed the power of a voice. People using their voices. People united in one voice. People expressing what they see and want for change in our country and even around the world. Some have had enough and they feel that they can no longer be silent. There is an outrage about how a group of people have been treated FOR YEARS and people are crying out for change. The system can’t remain the same any longer. I watch it all and in my heart I cry out, too, for change. There is too much injustice in our world. It must just pain God to look upon the mess we humans continue to make.
I think God is for change. He is a God of love – for everyone. We all need a heart change…all in different ways –depending on how our hearts have been shaped and formed. Life and relationships do this to us. Some of our hearts are hurting. Some are overly proud. Some are super lost. Some want to be God (but they never will). Some have been quieted. Some are depressed. Some are hopeless. Some are pretending – with daily masks they wear to make others and even themselves believe they are ok. One thing I learned the hard way is that true heart change won’t happen until we get real honest with ourselves, others, and mostly God. If we hide our hearts, we hide our truest selves.
We have our reasons. Someone wronged us. Someone physically hurt us. Someone gossiped about us. We are embarrassed that our true self will be shamed or not accepted. Perhaps people have shut you down – they don’t listen to what is important to you. Maybe you don’t feel like you, your thoughts, or opinions matter – no one has ever made you feel special or wanted. We go on each day yearning to be heard – but there are too many reasons why we keep quiet about the most honest places of our hearts. Why? Maybe we’ve been shaped and conditioned to believe that our most real self is not a voice that people want to hear.
Some of us worry about others’ voices too much. So much that they quiet our own most unique, special, have-something-so-awesome-to-offer-the-world, voices. When I sit with God, sometimes it’s hard because the distractions of the world and even the things of the day and other voices are so loud. It happens. Very easily. I have to consciously quiet the other voices to hear the One that really matters. His voice is love. His voice is peace. His voice is encouragement. His voice is guiding. His voice helps to heal what some of the others have damaged. His voice will make yours stronger if you let Him in. In to the places you haven’t ever invited Him. He knows you intimately – He’s God – so He already knows. The part of the equation that He’s waiting for is you. Something about the honesty. Something about the willingness to go there. Something about your desire to let Him in – the invitation is always there from Him. Once you accept and decide to participate in the real and throw the mask away, that’s where the change begins. When you listen to His voice, yours will grow truer, healthier, and less hesitant.
God has given us all a very unique life story to live out. They are ours. But they are His, too. I want the voices behind these stories to be heard not hidden. I want the people with these voices to live freely, not chained. I want to hear real stories about real life without filters or edits. I want stories to be told about the good and the bad so others will hear about a God who should not be hidden. Enough is enough. Take your time with Him so His voice can amplify yours.