It was summertime & I was talking to someone about pastimes. Upon learning that I sing, the very first thing I was asked was, "So are you the voice of our generation?"
I was completely thrown off by the question. It was unexpected and I didn't know what to say. "What?" I asked. The question was restated and I still did not have an answer, but inwardly I revelled in the idea that someone thought that I could be a supreme talent. I knew it wasn't true, and yet I wanted to be thought highly of. Though I cannot remember my exact answer, I know that in that moment my words failed, my pride won, & I stammered out a response that I'm sure reeked of self-satisfaction attempting to disguise itself as humility.
It was dumb because it was God who gave me my voice in the first place.
It was dumb because I have lost it before and I know firsthand it's not something I can depend my life on.
It was dumb because it was God wants my voice to be used to give Him glory & not steal it for myself.
It was dumb because my worth is not found in the validation of man, but in the unconditional & undeserved love of Christ.
It was dumb because I know all this, and yet I still failed & will fail many times over before my life on earth is through (unless God takes me home right this moment). How patient & faithful the Lord is!
It's ironic because in my last blog post I touched on how your talent & worldly accomplishments don't mean much at the end of the day, but your relationship with Christ does.
"Are you the voice of our generation?" Well, no, but I do have a voice, and I am part of a generation. So are you. What are we going to use our voices for?
John the Baptist was one voice. He used it to herald the coming of the Messiah & call people to repentance.
Esther was one voice. She put her life on the line & used her voice to to plead with the king on behalf of her Jewish people, who were scheduled to be murdered.
Paul was one voice. He used it on missionary journeys to share the gospel & instruct believers and his letters ended up being a significant portion of the New Testament.
There are myriads of examples to be found, but for the sake of brevity, we'll leave it there.
Now, if you're anything like I sometimes am, you may be looking to exclude yourself from something that could be difficult: "I'm not going to wear camel hair & eat locusts & honey. I don't have kings to appeal to, and I'm not called to write the Bible under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit...phew! This doesn't apply to me!"
Now, if you're anything like I sometimes am, you may be looking to exclude yourself from something that could be difficult: "I'm not going to wear camel hair & eat locusts & honey. I don't have kings to appeal to, and I'm not called to write the Bible under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit...phew! This doesn't apply to me!"
Friends, no matter what, you have a sphere of influence. You have friends, coworkers, and family members who do not know the good news of Jesus Christ. And even if you were off on a desert island all by yourself and never spoke to another human being again, you still have a very powerful voice because it can be used to call on a powerful God. You can get on your knees & plead before the God of heaven for repentance & revival. You can pray for the persecuted church & millions who have never heard the name of Jesus. You can speak with the Creator of the universe. What it reaps is eternal. I'd say that's a darn good use of a voice.
