What Does Your Voice Carry?
by: Sharon Baerg
Voices carry.
It’s that time of year when we might find ourselves lingering outside, late into the evening. Work is done or at least set aside, Zoom calls are finally (blessedly) finished, computers are put to sleep, and if our Canadian weather cooperates, we might head outdoors to wrap up the day. There is something unique about those end-of-the-day moments, perhaps enjoyed with outdoor conversations, which seem more relaxed, more authentic under the evening sky. But if you are the neighbour who already went to bed - and left your window open because of the heat - those same relaxed authentic voices have a way of carrying across the still night air. Voices carry …
When I was in elementary school, I sometimes talked too much – or so I was told by a few teachers - and on occasion, I got into trouble. For talking, or chewing gum, or cutting my hair during art class …. Generally, I think I was a pretty well-behaved kid, but on occasion, my voice didn’t totally line up with classroom guidelines. And even though I tried to behave, my voice caught the disapproving ears of my teacher. Much to my embarrassment, my voice had carried.
When I was a young mom, I sometimes talked too much – and apparently too loud. At least that’s what I found out the day I loudly scolded my young son, only to discover (to my complete mortification), that my kind mother-in-law had unexpectedly dropped by, hearing my angry voice carry right through the house and out my front door! My voice had carried.
There have been times when I have used my voice for good and times when I have not. Times when I have felt silenced and ignored. Times when I have been silent, times when I should have spoken up. Times when I should have held space for another’s voice. How many times have I prayed – “O God, may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you …” (Ps 19:14) and then turned around and said something I regretted? My words have carried. My voice has carried.
“O God, may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you …” (Ps 19:14)
As an intern with Gather Women, I have discovered a deeper truth about the strength of voice. Inherent to the fabric of the Gather collective, is an invitation to call out the voices of women. “The one, the few, the many.” I love that! There is an invitation to make space for the voices that need to be heard —because voices matter. And voices carry. Your voice, my voice, our voice - gathered, connected, united – can make a difference with and for God, the One who has given us our voice. Voices matter. Voices carry.
Your voice, my voice, our voice - gathered, connected, united – can make a difference with and for God, the One who has given us our voice.
Hidden in the middle of Psalm 68, is a verse we don’t hear very often, but that calls out our unique and brave voices – “the Lord gives the word, and the women who announce it are a great host”. (Ps 68:11) Some translations use the word “army”. That sounds like we are called to bravely, boldly announce God’s good news! It should be no surprise when Jesus later tells our sisters – “do not be afraid … go and tell the good news! (Matt 28)
Voices carry.
As followers of Jesus, may our voices carry his words, his message, his heart - for good, for worship, for healing, for unity, for equality, for justice - which was always for the one, the few, and the many – across borders, boundaries and neighbourhoods. May we, like Jesus, use our voice to speak and our ears to listen. May we be women who carry a voice marked by the love of Jesus and infused by the presence of the Holy Spirit.
God’s daughters are called to have voices that carry His voice.
May our voices carry the fragrance of the living God.
Sharon is a west coast girl living on Vancouver Island with her family. She is a creative, a worshipper and a gatherer, passionate about God and his Word. She is a former Worship & Women's Pastor who has recently found her way back to school. Sharon loves to be part of the ways God gathers people to grow, flourish and thrive.