Embrace Your Unique, God-given Voice to Communicate

“Moses said to the Lord, ‘Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” —Exodus 4:10 NIV

When asked to speak at a gathering at my church, I was excited, but nervous. I enjoy the challenge and chance to speak when it comes my way. I like to teach and relate to the audience in my own thought-out, prepared way. But spoken words, especially in front of a crowd, come with much processing time. Slowly. When Moses reminds God that he is slow of speech, I relate.

Yet, the Lord does bring those opportunities about and when He does, I want to be ready for each one. Speaking is an area that nudges me to depend on the Lord.

While being an effective speaker is important, it's just one way to communicate. Communication happens in many forms and styles. 

Words on a page or spoken from a stage communicate, but words lived out in real life shout on high volume. The adage "actions speak louder than words" is true. A friend clearing a friend's driveway of ice and snow communicates, a family member caring for an elderly relative communicates, and words texted to ask how someone is doing in inclement weather speak loudly.

Prepared words speak truth and bring encouragement. Scripture tells us, "The Teacher searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true," (Ecclesiastes 12:10 NIV). Spontaneous, well-timed words can speak truth and bring encouragement as well. We learn from Scripture that, "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver" (Proverbs 25:11 ESV).

If a message is received and understood, the communication method has been effective.

I would like to have the gregariousness of notable Bible teachers and speakers I admire. Wow. But that's not how I'm wired. I take comfort and peace from Romans 9:20, "But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” (ESV).

You, too, can rest in the unique way He made you. It really is okay that you're not like that person on the stage. We need one of you, not two of them.

He made you the way He made you for a reason. Every day brings opportunities to live into His purpose for your life and communicate His message to a listening world. 

Do you see the stars?
     An array of God's glory,
          read to the world
               like a favorite nighttime story.

Yet, no audible words are heard.

Do you see the sunrise?
     A display of splendor
          that awakens sleepy skies,
               God's robust "Good morning" to the world.

Seen and read, in silence.

Do you see the trees?
     With arms lifted high
          they praise God all day long,
               singing with angels in the sacred sky.

Ponder and accept their invitation to join in.

Let go. Be His megaphone to the world in the unique way He has wired you. Join the stars that speak comfort at night, the sunrise that welcomes in the morning, and the trees that praise their Creator all day long. Our God will speak through you as you communicate His message in the clever way He has created you.

Others will read your story, with or without words from a page, or stage.

Now go. Speak. The world listens.

Oh, Lord. As You lead, and as You bring opportunities to communicate, help us to not miss them. Help us to catch the opportunities and be effective, in small things and in big things — it's all important to You. We want to be ready to communicate to whomever You want in whatever way You want. In Jesus' name, Amen.