The Voice

I love "words".  I enjoy conversations, reading and writing.  I like learning new words and their definitions.  I love reading the Bible and listening for explanation and life applications.  Words have content which offer many things...encouragement, information, description of feelings, story-telling, and other usefulnesses.  I am not grammatically correct in the usage of my words many times.  I am definitely not appropriate in the choices of all my words.  My words are chosen sometimes and other times they are flying out of my mouth in some dramatic situation.  Words do hurt. Words do edify.  Words do have unique and lasting power.  I must be more mindful of my words.

This morning I am not writing about the words themselves but the way we say the words...the way we verbalize the words.  I believe much time is spent on getting the content out of our mouths to achieve our goals or intent but not much time is spent on "how" we speak.  The vocal part of our words.  I am the worst at vocalizing inappropriately.

I have been told many things about my voice.  Here are some examples:

• You have a great telephone voice. 
•  I love to hear your pray.
•  You have a sharp tongue.
•  You are loud and scream too much.
•  You have a good intercom voice.  You sound different than you look...WELL!
•   I love your laugh.
•  You have a muddled accent.  (It's called being Mexican and living in the South!)
•   I like to hear you read out loud.

Yesterday, I attended a Bible study for the community.  It was comfortable, user-friendly, informative and well worth my time.  As I was listening to the varied speakers during the event, I noticed something very precious about each of these leaders/speakers.  They had a gentle, kind and joyful tone.  They were confident in a non-arrogant nor prideful way.  They displayed an assurance and a conviction.  The words were appropriate and freely spoken.  I was drawn in by their softness and meekness, yet the content was powerful and meaningful.  I listened to the main speaker share about being in our own exiles and how our Father God wants to give us comfort in His word.  We are studying Revelations.  The main speaker was articulated but more so sensitive to our needs and gentle in her delivery.  I learned and absorbed much more than I had in any other Bible study delivery on the first day.  I want to go back and hear what God has given to her to share with us. 

When I was growing up, I was raised Catholic.  I love the way we were trained to honor and keep an attitude of holiness regarding Jesus.  I don't want to write about doctrines or differences of Biblical theology here.  I just want to make a point.  I found comfort in the rituals and quiet, solemn services, but always thought Jesus was unapproachable.  I left the Catholic church and went with my mom to the other extreme which was the Pentecostal Holiness Church.  It was there that words were flying left and right about fire, hell, and damnation.  The words were harsh and always took on a warning or "watch out" tone.  I enjoyed the freedom of worship and expression of love for Jesus there but retaining His word was hard.  I never felt good enough.  The grace message was hard to accept in this particular Pentecostal church.  I left home and sought after other churches and my mom eventually left the Pentecostal church as well.  I write this not to criticize nor add judgement but to express my dissatisfaction of my experiences with the delivery of His word. 

I don't think our Father God is deaf so I feel no need to yell at Him or heaven while praying.  I am not deaf and don't think I need to be yelled at while receiving His word.  I understand emphasis but I don't respect yelling nor tones of "woe is you".  I know that we are called to correct and defend a solid message based on the word of God.  Watering down and flowering up the word is not beneficial.  I believe we can deliver the Word of God in obedience and truth, allowing the Holy Spirit to convict or move accordingly to God's will.  I was convicted and encouraged yesterday as I took in God's Word several times yesterday.  Let me share.

Regarding Bible Study yesterday,  I had to sit in a class where we were instructed on how the Bible study worked and how we as interdominations should follow certain guidelines.  The lady spoke with calmness and peaceably.  She got her point across and was well understood.  She smiled and allowed for comment.  I learned that rules can be delivered respectfully and without the need to really drive home how important they are by raising my voice or repeating myself. 

Another lady spoke to the entire study group about participating in childcare at least once during the study year.  She smiled and spoke lovely about the call on her life to work with children. She shared what they do in class.  She taught us a song and we sang it joyfully.  She didn't say you must do this but she shared how wonderful the impact is and offered the opportunity to participate.  The Holy Spirit was in charge of encouraging our hearts to participate.  Her voice was infectious with joy to celebrate children.  I learned the best way to solicit help is to request so appropriately by offering them the reasons why you need them to help and how it can impact the work of God and use a voice that is kind not pitiful, desparate, nor judgemental.

I wrote earlier about the main speaker who taught us the first chapter of Revelations with such poise and gentleness.  She had a big message to share but she did so with a loving spirit and gave us life application spoken with a joy that I wanted and couldn't wait to go home and study more.  I believe the gospels reflect this about Jesus.  He was secure and knowledgeable about what He shared and taught (He was God!).  He used appropriate models, parables and a voice that drew people to Him.  He loved.  He had the Spirit in Him and the fruits were Him.  I need only the His examples to learn how to speak for Him...appropriately.

I went to our Wednesday night service last night.  I purposely listened to our preacher and a speaker from Kairos Prison Ministry.  I listened to their chosen words and prayers.  I listened to their tones and heard their hearts.  The delivery of God's word was received and written on the tablet of my heart because I was drawn by the tender spirit of Christ. 

The speaker from the prison ministry spoke with a humbleness that blew me away.  This guy participates in a powerful ministry which deals with maximum security imprisoners.  He has Jesus to offer which has huge responsibilities.  He, however, spoke with a gratefulness for the cookies members brought for him to share with the prisoners.  He talked about the draw of the cookies for the prisoners to attend.  He shared how they are used in the ministry.  He didn't make those of us feel guilty for not baking cookies but created a desire in us to bake some the next time around. He used words for this but it was the delivery of the words filled with genuine gratitude and joy for the receipt of them.

Our preacher prayed for the many requests received during service last night.  As he prayed aloud, I listened to the words and prayed with him.  I found myself listening again for the delivery.  He was talking to God very personally and very reverently, honoring His holiness yet with such a familiarity and peace that I told myself that I want to pray like that.  I want to "feel" not recite prayers when in a group.  His voice reflected genuine burdens for the requests and the desire to see the hand of God move in the particular situations.

The voice is a power tool in our make-up that can truly add to our ministries and our relationships in general.  I am hopeful today that I will continue to reflect on my voice and how I can express myself in a more Godly and gentle manner.  I want to be listened to.  I want to be heard.  I want my family to be drawn to me...the Jesus in me.  I can do no less than ask the Holy Spirit to revive and live in me so the fruits of  love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control are evident in my heart and again lived out loud. 

You are Loved, acf