Speaking Up

   Picture this you are a teacher and you are about to work with a small group. You sit down with the students and start working. Suddenly you see it. On one of the students, you see your worst nightmare: a runny nose. Snot begins to fall down the student’s face and you can barely look at the student. You tell the student to go get a tissue but five minutes later his nose is running again.

   This was my experience during student teaching many times. And, it got me sick many times. Along with being sick, people said I lost my voice as well. It seemed like I did, but I do not think I did.

   According to Dictionary.com voice is “the faculty or power of uttering sounds through the mouth by the controlled expulsion of air.” It is true that when most people hear the word voice they thing about talking. But, when I hear voice I also think of other forms of communication. For example, let’s say I had no voice right now. I may not be able to speak right now but I can still communicate.

   Another definition of voice is “expression in spoken or written words, or by other means.” See, while I was sick I still needed to communicate with my family and my teachers. How did I do this? Well, I did it by writing, having someone talk for me, or by using hand motions or sign language. I did not lose my voice; I lost the ability to talk.

   Why am I telling you all of this? I am telling you this because no matter if you have lost your voice or not you can still communicate with others. It is our job, as Christians, to share the good news. Even if we feel like we have lost our voice literally, or just in culture, we still need to spread the gospel. Nowadays it seems like it is hard for Christians to have a voice in culture because it is so far gone. But, we cannot stop trying. We were put on this earth to reflect God’s glory. If we do not use our voices for him then we are not following him. And, the very rocks will cry out if we do not.

   So, have you been using your voice to reflect God’s glory? Do you feel as if you have lost your voice at all in society? What can you do to get your voice back?

   1 Peter 3:15-16, Romans 1:16, Luke 19:37-40