The Dream of You: A 5-Day YouVersion By Jo SaxtonSample

The Voice

When we refer to losing our voice, we might be talking about having laryngitis. More often when we talk about our voice, we’re referring to something deeper. When we talk about our voice, we mean our most authentic self. We’re talking about the real us—not hidden but expressed in the world around us. Our voice captures our passions, our values, our gifts and talents. Our voice is our identity in action, making its unique contribution in the world. 

I’ve noticed that many women downplay their voice. Sometimes it’s out of shyness or embarrassment. Yet more often they feel insecurity that grows out of past experiences. At times, women apologize for who they are. They minimize their abilities, as if they’re expecting someone to tell them they’re arrogant for having talent, ability, and dreams. 

Sometimes abuse or prejudice takes our voices. When our voices have been taken, we redirect our lives toward “more acceptable” interests. We say we are only being realistic. We downplay our gifts and subdue our talents.

Instead of the life we were designed for, we live the life we think we can get away with. Or more accurately, the life we feel can avoid being silenced again. We call it safe, but in reality it’s a denial of who we are. When we go along with this, we are party to the silencing of ourselves. 

The English word voice comes from the Latin root word  vox or voc, the same root from which we get the word vocation. Our sense of purpose and vocation is an integral part of our God-given design. 

When Jesus invited people into relationship, He also invited them to contribute alongside Him. Writing to the Ephesian Christians, Paul made it clear they would find their identity in Christ. In Christ they would discover who they were as well as what they were living for—their voices, their vocare or vocations. God’s gracious, life-transforming redemption reaches as far as redeeming a person’s purpose. 

God sees who you are, who you fully are. He sees your story, He sees the life you can bring, and He sees your potential and purpose. He knows and hears your voice. And He gives you a beautiful song to sing.

When have you chosen to silence your voice because it is too risky to live out your true identity?