Flares in the Darkness

I have treated my voice as something to be discarded. 

Most of the words that come out of my mouth are useless. Most of the words that come out of my mouth are about myself. Most of the words that are not about myself are gossip, sarcasm, or to promoting my own agenda. 

 I confess, I have been careless with my voice. 

 “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all those who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” (Proverbs 31:8-9)

 I am heartbroken over the way I have spoken up for myself instead of speaking up for others. What if the most powerful gift we can give someone is the use of our voice? 

 Do I even know who the destitute, poor and needy are in my city? In my nation? In the world? Do I know what their needs are?  Not just their surface needs, but their heart, relational, emotional needs. Do I know them well enough that I can speak up on their behalf? Or, am I so consumed in my own voice that I have nothing left for them?

 Martin Luther King Jr.’s words ring in my ears, “An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.”

 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves. 

 For the rights of the destitute. 

 Defend the rights of the poor and needy.  

 Then my life will make a difference. 

Our voices are designed to be flares in the darkness. Flares burst with light and burn with intensity. They signal an emergency, something that is in desperate need of attention.  They save lives. However, used incorrectly they can create harm. Danger. Make matters worse. 

 Your voice, my voice, they are flares to the world.

 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.