“It won’t cost much – Just your voice!” – Ursula, The Little Mermaid
Our voice is one of the most powerful tools that God has given us. With our voice, we have the power to bring life or death in this world (Proverbs 18:21).
In the Disney movie, The Little Mermaid (yes, I love Disney!) it is Ariel’s voice that Ursula is after. Ariel not realizing the value of her voice and how costly this truly is, quickly signs it over. In stealing her voice, Ursula can keep her subordinate. This is exactly what the Enemy does to us as well. He feeds us lies hoping that we will embrace them and remain silent.
There are many reasons why we learn to remain silent. Perhaps you grew up in a home where it was safer for you if you did. Perhaps you were shut down by your peers every time you spoke up. Perhaps you were in a controlling relationship where using your voice was too threatening. However fear entered, its goal has been the same - to rob you of your voice.
At a Bible study one night we were asked to write down the lies that were hindering us and the truth that God spoke to replace that lie. What I wrote on my page was this:
What I have to say is not important.
Tears welled up in my eyes as I realized how true the words felt to me. When I asked God what His truth was in replace of this lie He immediately spoke to me I have put my words in your mouth.
This is the same thing that God spoke to Jeremiah in Jeremiah 1:9. It can also be found in Isaiah 51:6
You might not feel you are called to be a writer or public speaker but all of us are called to be representatives of Christ to a loss and hurting world – you are His voice here on this earth and therefore you must not remain silent.
You are not alone if you doubt your ability or wonder who are you. Moses in the Bible had these same thoughts (and every other human on the planet).
This was God’s response to those fears: “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.” – Exodus 4:11-12 (NIV)
When we speak, we don’t have to be afraid because God is the one who speaks through us. He has equipped us to do it.
When it comes to reading the Bible I usually stick to NIV or KJV but I love the way the Contemporary English Version translates Jeremiah 1:5. I’ve left a blank and in that blank I want you to put your name and read this out loud.
"_____________, I am your Creator, and before you were born, I chose you to speak for me to the nations."
God has given you a voice. He has chosen you as His vocal piece. Your voice is more powerful than you know. So, don’t allow anyone to steal it.