A Voice crying in the night... (Sep. 6, 2018)

A voice unheard, cries out in the night. One that says; this is not all that life has to offer, where is the self I once knew. A voice that is void and with loss of sound to many walking by. One that calls for help if they are lucky to have any hope left. Surrounded by voices of lies and untruths, a person can believe that how they are portrayed is who they really are. Their identity becomeshazy, their laughter may turn to tears and their hope to survival. This is a 'nice' version of true life for many across the world.

Yet there is another VOICE! A voice of love, identity, one that is with all people in the pain and trenches of life. A voice that says you are Mine. This past Sunday was ‘Freedom’ Sunday. Many focused on spreading awareness of human trafficking. This issue is one that I believe touches every country in the world. There is not a state in the USA that I know of that does not face these struggles as well. However, I am here today to remind you of the voice of Truth and Light.

A voice unheard by many, calls day and night. One of purpose, identity, belonging. A voice that says with the deepest heartfelt-unconditional-eternal love, ‘You are my joy, I breathe Life into you and this world.’ Though some see the world through darkness, this voice brings Light that cannot be dimmed. Breaking down walls and illuminating the way for those who need direction.  Life is not easy, and the Voice of Truth does not take away the struggles of life. The Voice of Truth, is one that brings freedom in the midst of ALL circumstances. One that truly sees each person created in God's image autonomous to a person embracing it or not. This Voice of Truth is the voice of God. We are to live into the Freedom that is offered. This is what I mean when I say let us take a step to love without fear. Though it may sounds silly, may we allow ourselves to be fully loved by the Lord without fear and without holding back. In this, Isaiah 61 comes to pass. The year of the Lord. I am not saying some utopia, I am talking about real and true life! I have seen it with my own eyes and heard it with my own heart. Yes, this is a bit heavier post than usual but our embracing of living into the Truths of the Lord and loving ourselves and others in the same Light, is the difference in being life bearers or life takers.

The voice first mentioned, the one that goes unheard is not one that does not exist. It is in being rooted in the Lord alone, our identity in God alone, that we are then empowered to Love with an eternal love that transcends all temporary struggles and lenses. A love that is unconditional and says I am always with you, my beloved. May we be such children of God. Ones who live into the Freedom that the Lord is offering as the voice of Truth calls out day and night. The Peaceful Warrior that gave everything so that we might be free. (This is an image that I will address more in another post.) Brothers and Sisters PLEASE be praying about what the Voice of Truth - the voice of the Lord - is calling you to be and do. May we be life bearers. Seeing people when it is convenient and inconvenient. May we be good stewards of the time, life, resources, and place that we are in. May you know a fresh breath of this true Freedom in Christ today. If we are advocating for the freedom of the captives, if we are speaking up for the orphans and the widows... may we speak from hearts that are rooted in the Freedom of Christ rather than wimpy 'strength' of our own making. In the being, and where we place our identity we create the doing of our lives. Christ was about being in His father, and Christ' doings were outward expressions of that. May this week be a reminder of Freedom in the Lord, as we encourage and bring the world along. May we abide and be active out of first being in Christ! May we prepare the way of the Lord in our day and time. In such a time as this!

What voice are you embracing, and what voice are you empowering in the world? Who does God say that you are?

Silence is not voiceless.