The gift of “Voice” is not trending on this year’s Hottest Holiday Gifts list (well, unless you count My Friend Cayla, who uses speech-to-text software).
But consider this: Isn’t your voice one of the most sacred gifts you can offer?
Just ask Zechariah. When the angel Gabriel materialized in the temple, announcing that Zechariah and Elizabeth would have a child (at last!), Zechariah answered back with discouraging words. Luke 1:5-20
So for the next nine months, he was unable to speak at all. And how much he had to tell!
Not until the baby was born and Zechariah scribbled to his community, “His name is John,” was his tongue untied. Now his words were of praise to God and confidence in all God had done and was going to do. Luke 1:63-64
You can use your voice the same way this Christmas.
But you can’t wrap it inside a Christmas box and tie it with a bow.
So how can you give your voice?
- Through your in-person conversations
- Through your emails
- Through your Christmas cards
- Through your social media updates
- Through your songs
- Through your blog posts
- Through your Facebook comments
- Through your phone calls
Like Zechariah, use your voice to give hope to those needing deliverance, to assure others of God’s faithfulness, to relay how God has worked in your circumstances, to promise that God gives mercy, and to remind that He transforms the unrighteous into His righteousness. Luke 1:67-79
Your spiritual voiceprint is as unique as your physical fingerprint. You have an exclusive perspective, a different angle, another tongue to add to the celestial choir singing of God’s love.
No other voice can substitute for yours, nor yours for another.
God used His voice to call the universe into existence. He sent Christ into our world as the Word. Now He continues to send His love into the world through your voice and words.
So designate your voice to be a divine gift this Christmas.
Entrust it as a beloved present from God through you to others.
Consider the following questions for these last two weeks before Christmas.
What’s the most unusual gift you are giving this Christmas? Please share in the comments.
Related:
Wow–this is so inspiring and encouraging…thanks for the ideas / thoughts on how to share our voices…
You’re welcome, Amy. Thanks for adding your voice here. :) It encourages me.
This is a powerful and almost intimidating concept; it is so easy to assume that one’s voice is drowned out in the black noise of the World.
My most unusual gift? I don;t have one. Things are narrowing down physically, and as I write this it hurts too much to move. Literally.
So All I can give is what I do, from moment to moment. I hope that is enough.
Andrew, your voice has been rising above the noise for a long while. I’m so thankful for “hearing” you online at least. Sharing your insights is definitely one of your gifts. You are more than enough. Continuing to pray for you….
I love this Lisa. It IS inspiring and convicting. Thank you for this challenge today!
Thanks, Julie. Ironically, I just received a confirmation email this morning for a silent retreat I registered for in January. A time to use our voice and a time to keep it quiet. Gotta love our God. :)
I’ve never thought about having a ‘spiritual voiceprint’–that a beautiful concept! It’s especially nice to think about because whenever I hear the words ‘voice’ and ‘gift’ I think of singing (and that is NOT one of my gifts).
I first heard of a “spiritual voiceprint” from Mark Batterson. It stuck with me as a beautiful concept, too. Thanks for adding your voice to the song, Anita, whether or not singing is one of your gifts. :)
This is an encouraging post. It’s so easy to think other people can say things better or are more gifted, but God places each of us where we are to be an influence for Him with the voice He has given us and His guidance as to how to use it. Sometimes simple inflection can make a lot of difference, too – especially this time of year when shoppers are harried, a cheerful “Thank you” and “Excuse me” or “Go ahead” at stores lightens people up a great deal.
I can’t think of any terribly unusual gifts we’re giving, but I probably wouldn’t say what it was publicly just in case.
I’m grateful to you, Barbara, for the way you use your voice through your blog posts and comments. I’ve learned a lot from you. It’s so nice to hear so many unique voices in our blogging community.
I’m sure you’re going to have fun spending the first Christmas with your grandson. His life is the best gift this year for your family.
Love this! How wonderful to think we have a completely unique spiritual voice we can use for His glory this Christmas! Thanks for sharing… and for the challenge :)
Thanks, Laura. It was a challenge most of all to myself. It prompted me to finally sit down this morning and write out Christmas cards. :)
Praying for each of us to see and use opportunities we have this Christmas to shine more light on Jesus.
What a beautiful post, filled with challenge and encouragement to rise to it. And spiritual voiceprint? Mmm, love that. I’ve found myself growing more quiet because my perspective and thoughts don’t fit the mold of those around me right now, but I’ve trying to refind my footing and use my voice to encourage–and to that I need to refind the courage to be myself. Thanks for contributing to that.
Most unusual gift? Time….
Sometimes we do have to walk through a season of quietness; I respect that, Natalie. There’s a balance between using our voice and listening to other voices. I’m sure you’ll continue to find the courage to be yourself and will come out of this season with an even stronger voice.
Time is one of the best gifts to get, one of the hardest to give….
So I’ve come back to your words over and over–in my head and with my eyes. Good stuff here, the kind that challenges and compels forward movement. Thank you again for adding your voice my how-do-I get-out-of-my-season-of disillusioned-quiet journey. I think the end of the tunnel is near. I think. And I hope. Hope is better.
“Hope is better.” Yes. That resonates with me, Natalie. Too often I only *think* when I should take it to the next level of *hope*. Praying for the light at the end of your tunnel to grow brighter and more refined for the next steps on your journey. It sounds like an interesting one! I’ll look forward to hearing more about the path God has you on.
Very nice post (useful handout too, which I’ve saved to my phone).
I think of voice like that too. Someone’s voice (for me) is more than the sound. It’s something to do with the way they think or their attitudes. It comes out in the ideas they have, in the way they describe simple things and yes in their intonations and rhythms. It is the word made flesh in a way. Some people have wonderful voices.
Unusual gift: well, if next week counts, it’s presence. My Dad starts what he calls his radiation treatment (early stage cancer detected): seven weeks of daily sessions. He lives on his own, so I’m going up to spend the first week with him and help him acclimatise.
David
Great insights, David. Voice is definitely more than what we do with vocal cords. I asked a question yesterday of someone, and her answer took me off guard not because of the words, but because her tone was so innocent. It’s stuck with me.
The word made flesh—beautiful! Yes.
The gift of presence to your dad is probably the best gift possible. He’ll treasure the time with you, I’m sure. I’ll be praying that his treatments will be effective and that he’ll be totally healed.
Thank you!
Lisa,
Thanks for the encouragement to use our voices to encourage others and to believe in its uniqueness…blessings to you :) Hmm, can’t think of an unusual gift…
Sometimes I think a fun exercise would be to take different blog posts from our blogging friends and see if we can identify the author just by their “voice.” Even though hopefully we’re singing the same song about God, our particular voices are all unique. I just visited your blog and was struck by the beauty in your “voice” there. Thanks, Dolly!
I’m not usually good at thinking of unusual gifts either. ha. I leave that up to my husband. :)
My blog voice is coming back even as my real voice – due to numerous aspiration events – is getting weaker. Loved this post, Lisa – and, as always, your heart for God and His kingdom and our work in it.
Unusual gifts? How about a large can of Norwegian fishballs? :-)
I’m thankful whenever you speak through a new blog post, Rick (although I’m sorry to hear about your real voice getting weaker; not good news especially for a singer like you). You always have something real to share. I appreciate your gift of authenticity.
Norwegian fishballs??? You win the prize for most unusual gift. I had to google it to even see what it was. :)