Finding your voice and your place in this world makes our life meaningful. It takes time, lots of prayer and honest soul-searching. Here are some pointers to help you along the way.

First of all, we need humility to realize God is God and we are not. This is the bottom line. Until we accept this, we can’t find balance. Until we surrender to God, we won’t have peace. But when we do, our life gets grounded and we are on our way to find our voice and our place in the world.

God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son. The Son stands first in the line of humanity he restored. We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in him. After God made that decision of what his children should be like, he followed it up by calling people by name. After he called them by name, he set them on a solid basis with himself. And then, after getting them established, he stayed with them to the end, gloriously completing what he had begun. (Romans 8:29-30, MSG,*)

Second, we need grace to learn we are not above nor below other human beings. Each person is valuable to God. Our worth does not come from work, money or power. Our value comes from being a child of God. It is sinful to think ourselves either less or more worthy than others. We are all saved by grace, not by our works. When we embrace God’s love and grace, we are on our way to become who God created us to be. We are on our way to do the good works God has prepared for us to do.

For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live]. (Ephesians 2:10, AMP,*)

Third, we need courage to dare to be all that God called us to be. God has given each of us certain gifts so we could shine for him. We need to put them in good use. We are not to hide our light or our voice from the world. And we are not to play small either, that does not serve anyone.

With the words of Marianne Williamson  “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

So quit playing safe. Dare to try the impossible. Be all you can be. Dream big, pray hard and follow Christ wherever he leads you. Be that wonderful person God created you to be!

And for the record: Your voice is beautiful. God has given it to you. Be yourself (no need to fake it) and be true to your God-created soul. God has amazing plans for you that only you can do. Don’t doubt for a second: God will enable and empower you to raise your voice for God’s glory.

 

Gracious God,
Thank you for being our God who cares.
Thank you for creating each of us unique.
Thank you for calling us to shine for you.
Enable and empower us to raise our voice for your glory.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Q4U: Do you dream big and dare to try the impossible for God?

Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you raise your voice for God’s glory!

* [As you might have noticed, I enjoy reading the Bible in different translations and love comparing them. I have started linking the Bible verses to Biblegateway.com so you can easily read (and compare) them in the different versions I’ve used while preparing each post.]

Image courtesy of Kevin Carden, design by Mari-Anna Stålnacke. Linking up today with Faith-filled Fridays, Five Minute Friday and Faith Jam.