It’s going on Day 6 since I last sounded like a healthy woman. I’ve tried all the elixirs the Internet suggests, but it’s to no avail.
I’ve lost my voice.
Let me tell you why it’s such a big deal for me. Last year on the World Race, our squad leaders repeatedly said that God gave each of us a passion and a voice. But our voices weren’t ordinary voices; our voices would change the world.
They were given to us from our Father to bring light into the darkest of places.
Our voices would encourage and discipline others in being more like Christ.
They would soothe the broken-hearted and crush down the enemy with the authority given to us.
They would be a voice for the voiceless.
Unfortunately, voices can also bring death. James 3 teaches about the taming of the tongue, a muscle that can “bless our LORD and Father, and curse people who are made in the likeness of God.”
Voices are powerful tools.
Gossiping about someone is just the same as cursing God Himself. Since every person was made in the image of God, speaking poorly about someone’s image is SIN.
Being sick/not having a voice has taught me a few things:
- I am super thankful for soft tissues! And the body creates a lot of mucus. I know, gross, but it’s true.
- You can’t take your health for granted. Yes, it’s a measly cold/sore throat, but even so, it knocks you down and pins you there until you have the meds or antibodies to fight back.
- I REALLY miss singing. I never realized how much I truly do sing to myself…Christ has given me the gift to sing for His glory. He can also take away that gift if I’m misusing it. I may think that singing and making a loud, joyful noise to the LORD will give Him the most praise, but what if, at this time, giving Him the most glory entails being quiet and listening to Him? We’re a society that likes to talk FAR too much. I’m definitely included in that statement. Instead of listening for and obeying the LORD, we talk ourselves silly over what we may-or-may-not-do. We need to be people of action, not people of babble.
- I must continuously develop and cultivate my tongue to not sin and bring shame upon the imago Dei. James 3:8 says “But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” That’s where the Holy Spirit’s strength intercedes for me to rise above the sin that so easily entraps me.
Jesus was protecting me like crazy last year on the Race. Despite some diet issues going from country to country, I never got sick. Since I’ve been home, I’ve been sick three times! Obviously, I am not used to American germs, yet.
But this last bout of sickness has literally shut me up and made me think about being a woman who must stay true to her word; a woman who others can trust and count on when she says she’ll do something; a woman who speaks life and Christ’s love to others.
The voice is a powerful tool. Are you using yours well?
