How to use your VOICE to impact the WORLD? (Post #52)

"Am I willing to risk all that I have for this message?  Would I be willing to stand alone for this message?   Or, would I even be willing to lose my life for it?"

*The photograph above is of the late Fred Hampton.
 
I woke up this morning, in a deep pondering about what exactly this blog’s purpose should be.  This thought led to prayer, and this prayer led to this.

Consider for a moment the power of the voice.  The ability for your mind and mouth to work in agreement to express the core and essence of your soul.  The voice when manifested has the power to compel, convert, convict, condemn, and even contradict.  There are few weapons in the natural arsenal of humanity, that have even a semblance of the power, that’s found undeniably in the voice.
 
Individuals like the late Fred Hampton, Congressman John Lewis, Apostle Paul, Malala Yousafzai, and the late Harry & Harriette Moore are all proof of this power.

People who attained a clear calling; a mission God ordained on their life and lips.  An existence, loaded with peril, all with the goal and intent of sharing a challenging message, to a seemingly “challenge-challenged” world.

​These individuals were ambassadors for the lesser, the others.  Those who serve as proof that inequality is just as real in the world, as the dream for equality was (and is) in their minds.  Knowing these things to be true, they spoke and as a result – one was raided and assassinated,  one was frequently arrested, one was executed, one survived a head-shot in an assassination attempt, and one became noted as the first married martyr of the early civil rights movement. 
 
The challenging question that one must ask about this cadre of compassion, is simple:  what was their crime?  What did they do or employ that would warrant such a demise?  Were they murders?  Rapist?  Thieves? Or arsonist?  

No.  These all died or near-died because they were unapologetically expressive of their heart’s convictions, via their God-given voice.

Thankfully, in the aftermath of these, the ball of their calling has been undoubtedly advanced down the playing field. In this year of 2018, the goals that they fought for are still alive, active, and in forward progress.

For if only their aggressors would have known, you can take their lives; however, you will never take their words.

Solomon says in Proverbs 18:21, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.”(ESV). Meanwhile, James adds in James 1:26, “If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.”(ESV)

The combination of the thoughts of Solomon and James, prove the importance and still, grave instability of the tongue.

The development of the voice can therefore be a gift and also a curse.  Consequently, the cultivator of his/her voice must take time, become prayerful, and thoughtful about the birth of their powerful expression.  
 
As a person, who shares in the awareness of such power, I’d like to share 5 thoughts about the healthy development of your very powerful voice:

• Get to Know Yourself:  I list this as the first step; however, I don’t believe that this mission, while extremely important, is every fully complete.  There are many subject matter experts, who cover an array of topics in life. However, all of these SMEs will all agree that the scholarly study of their noted areas of academia, have all proven to be an easier task, than the complete and full knowledge of one’s self.  This is why it will never end, it will never be complete.  So, in your education of self, what is it that you should seek to know?
• Seek to Find and Authentic your Personal Values: Take time and determine what matters most to you; and how the matters that matter most to you, intrinsically impact the lives of others.  For example, my life’s pursuit is the sharing of the Gospel. However, I can’t forget about how this mission of mine, positively and yes, even negatively impacts the lives of others. Being fully aware of this, I am then personally challenged to ask profound questions like:  is this message really worth it?  Am I willing to risk all that I have for this message?  Would I be willing to stand alone for this message?   Or, would I even be willing to lose my life for it?  If we learned anything for the examples mentioned earlier, we learn that your words can cost a great deal.  
• Seek to be Educated BEFORE you Speak:  The Bible reads in James 1:19, “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.”(ESV)The point here is simply: seek to understand, before you seek to be understood.  I envision that the brave activists mentioned before, took the necessary time to understand the true plight of their respective demographics.  They sought to establish a desired goal or an indication of mission completion.  They sought to at least attempt to change the hearts of their opposition, and assuredly herald the cause of their own. However, none of this happened, without first gaining understanding.  I want to be clear, I’m not suggesting you should wait to know everything; however, I am definitely saying that you should be quiet when you know next to nothing.  
• Prepare for Opposition:  There will never be an issue worth fighting for, that doesn’t attract some major or minor form of a fight.  No cause is ever advocated, that didn’t in the same light, become antagonized.  Thus, the herald must prepare to be opposed.  In preparation for opposition, one must determine how they will deal righteously with insults, tactful with condemnation, and strategically with the hard-hearted.  The herald must know when to speak up, and when to allow silence to speak louder. The voice is a vessel of power; therefore, it’s power must count.   
• Pray for God’s Guidance:  Yes, there are advocates still needed today.  We need them now more than ever.  However, what should you say?  Or, more importantly, how should you say it?  The Bible says inPhilippians 4:6, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”(ESV)  As a Christian and a believer, I am fully convinced that anything that I do that carries any merit, must be done with consideration given to prayer.  If God’s not in it, then I can’t speak it.

 
So, what did you think?  What did I miss?  Let me know in the comments below.  Subscribe on the home page, share this post, and thanks for your support.  
 
Imperfectly, 

Kevin D. Jones, Sr.

Author and Publisher of Perfectly Imperfect Perfectionist
(@kevindjonessr)
(@imperfection360)