Axel’s Voice

My grandson Axel does not walk quietly in our door—nor does he go gently into the night—he lets you know he has arrived…that is, if he hasn’t stopped to ring the doorbell numerous times. Once inside he loves to run and to kick his soccer ball, which is generally his first activity once in Papa and Meme’s home.

Axel is a talker. He seems to love communicating. I remember when he was endeavoring to learn how to communicate. He would jabber on while his grandmother and I would try to understand what he meant—which most times would have made for a great comedy sketch. Then his sister Liv would tell us what he wanted…somehow, she understood him.

He heard the adults in his life talking to one another, and to him, and he was intrigued by it. He knew he was supposed to do that; he wanted to do it. So, he kept trying desperately to mimic what he heard though he had no understanding of what all those sounds meant. There was a yearning to communicate with those in his life. Soon he began to speak a few words, then sentences. Without realizing it, he joined man’s unending quest to communicate through words…to understand and to be understood.

Now he is learning the meaning of words which will empower him to communicate his thoughts, desires, and needs, and as he matures, much more. In his quest to communicate, I want him to discover his voice—that which will give purpose, substance, and meaning to his communication. Finding our voice is one of our greatest discoveries. (Don’t worry; I’m not about to sit in a lotus position and begin humming)

The Divine Origin of Our Voices

Our voice was deposited in us by God. The Bible speaks of our spirit returning to God, who gave it. The spirit of every human being came from God the Father, which means every person has eternity deep within them. The fingerprints of God are all over each person’s spirit, their inner being. They bear the evidence of God and heaven, though most never realize it. Some fight desperately to reject it, though it is a futile fight as they will see in the end. They, like everyone before, will stand before God and give an account for the life He gave them. In the end they will realize their struggle against God was futile.

Because the spirits of all people came from God, it is innate within us to worship God or something, to find something to believe, and someone to believe in, to seek to find God, or at least a god. How desperately the world needs someone whose words come from a deeper source than their own human wisdom and knowledge; someone whose voice has the sound of heaven in it.

When a person finds their voice, their words, though the same as others’, suddenly resonate in the hearts of those who hear them. Their message makes a deposit in the lives of those who choose to hear what they say.

If time and space allowed, I could give example after example of the difference the words of those who found their voice have made in my life, and the lives of so many others.

I want to be clear; it is not only preachers whose words have helped shape my life and impacted my journey, guiding me safely onward. Many times, it has been the voice of some seeming insignificant soul who spoke words of life into my soul.

A Divine Encounter in Kathmandu

On one such occasion Denice and I were in Kathmandu, Nepal where I was speaking at a conference for Pastors and Leaders. As the hosting pastor was driving us to his home for a meal, he said to me, “Steve, there is someone at my home I want you to meet.” As we stepped into his home, I saw an unassuming, elderly lady sitting by herself on the living room sofa. The pastor took me by my arm leading me to the lady and introduced us. She had been the personal assistant and confidant to one of the most successful women ministers of the Twentieth Century. She had walked by her side through all the years of ministry. Unknown to most, but not to God.

Reaching out her hand to mine she said “Please sit down. I would love for us to talk.” I listened intently as she began to share about her experiences in life, and in serving a great woman of God. As she spoke it was as if Jesus, or an angel were speaking to me. Her words were filled with the life of God. His presence seemed to engulf us as she spoke, I sensed the holiness and sacredness of this event, this moment in my life. It was a divine appointment.

I have found this truth, when one finds their voice, those they are to speak to somehow find them. I traveled from Montgomery, Alabama to Kathmandu, Nepal to speak to pastors and leaders—and to meet a precious lady, near the end of her journey, whose voice I was destined to hear.

The Cornerstone of a Meaningful Life

The sad truth is few people ever find their true voice. Instead, they spend their lives repeating the voices of others, generally going from one to another, to another. They are only an echo of another’s voice. At the other end of the spectrum are those who are a god unto themselves. They are intoxicated with their own ideas, wisdom, and understanding. Like Narcissus they are consumed with their own reflection. Neither of these can add one thing to the lives of another beyond that which is surface and temporary.

Finding one’s voice is, I believe, the cornerstone of a life that makes a difference—finding your voice, your unique purpose God placed in you. Then living a life in accord with that.

I mean no disrespect, but it’s rare to find this in people today. Where it is found, there are always people following and the fruit of the kingdom, the fingerprints of God are there. Their words are pregnant with the life and hope of heaven.

Once we have discovered and clarified our voice, we have something to say that matters. I have sat in the homes of people with almost nothing materially and listened intently as wisdom and grace flowed from their lips. The peace of God so real and tangible it seemed you could reach out your hand and hold it. In such times I would hold tightly to each word, gesture, and look, knowing I was with one who had spent a life walking with God.

One summer our church, Christian Life Church, decided to spend every Saturday evangelizing a certain neighborhood. We went two by two knocking on every door on every street. When someone answered the door, we told them who we were and asked if there was anything we could pray with them about. Very few rejected our offer. We saw hundreds saved that one summer, in that one neighborhood.

In one of the homes was an elderly lady. She sat in her rocking chair with her tattered Bible in her lap. She thanked me for what we were doing and began sharing things the Lord had shared with her. I must confess, I do not remember a single one of the homes we visited that summer, not one, except that dear lady’s home. Her words, her life, touched mine and I will never forget her and our time together.

The Clear Drumbeat of Purpose

Those who have found their voice do not have their ear to the ground of public opinion, trying to find what is popular, acceptable, and desired by others, but rather they have heard God’s call and recognized His voice. They march to a certain, clear drumbeat, their steps stable and solid, their direction clear. They are a life worthy of emulation.

So, how does one find their voice, that voice God has given them? It may sound trite—but isn’t all that is the fountainhead of that which has substance and depth often seem too simple to be the actual how?

It is found in God and His Word. It is found in our dying to self, in our brokenness, and emptying of all we are and can be and do in ourselves, into the hands of God. It is heard in those who have emerged from the furnace of affliction.

It is found in utter dependence on God and complete confidence in Him. As my Pastor, John Osteen would always tell us, “Climb the hill of God, wrap your fingers tightly in His robe and do not let go until you hear from heaven.” Those encounters with the living God when His Word becomes the living Word in us form our voice and shape our knowing—that is the way of discovery.

Inspired by a Woman’s Voice

Before I close I must say this—I have had the wonderful privilege of being married to a woman who years ago found her voice. Because of that she has always been a woman of substance. Her words have encouraged, inspired, and helped multiplied thousands, especially me.

It was one of the things that attracted me to her when we met… that and the fact that she was and is one of the most beautiful women I have ever known. Her words have always breathed strength, hope, and life into me. Knowing her made we want to discover my own voice.

Speaking of discovery… I need to go play with my grandson. It’s part of the journey of discovery he is on… and it’s part of mine also.

Steve

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.