The Power of Voice 话语的能力
Dexu Xia
I have put my words in your mouth. Jeremiah 1:9
The most powerful orators in history are often those leaders who’ve used their voices to bring about positive change. Consider Frederick Douglass, whose speeches on abolition and liberty spurred a movement that helped lead to the end of slavery in the United States. What if he’d chosen to be silent? We all possess the capacity to use our voice to inspire and help others, but the fear of speaking out can be paralyzing. In the moments when we feel overwhelmed by this fear, we can look to God, our source of divine wisdom and encouragement.
When God called Jeremiah to be a prophet to the nations, he immediately began to doubt his own abilities. He cried out, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young” (Jeremiah 1:6). But God wouldn’t allow Jeremiah’s fear to get in the way of his divine calling to inspire a generation through his voice. Instead, He instructed the prophet to simply trust God by saying and doing whatever He commanded (v. 7). In addition to affirming Jeremiah, He also equipped him. “I have put my words in your mouth” (v. 9), He assured him.
When we ask God to show us how He wants to use us, He’ll equip us to carry out our purpose. With His help, we can boldly use our voice to make a positive impact on those around us.
By: Kimya Loder
When have you been afraid to use your voice? How might you rely on God’s strength and wisdom to speak up?
Heavenly Father, give me the strength to use the power of my words to influence those around me for the better
我已将当说的话传给你。—耶利米书1章9节
历史上最伟大的演说家，往往是勇于发言而带来正面改变的领袖，十九世纪美国黑人政治家法雷迪·道格拉斯（Frederick Douglass）就是个绝佳的范例。他发表演说，提倡废除奴隶制度并为黑人争取自由，促成了废奴运动，使美国的奴隶制度最终成为了历史。假使道格拉斯选择保持缄默，结果会如何呢？我们每个人都具备能力，可以用话语来启发并帮助别人，但有时却因为害怕而不敢仗义执言，以致踟蹰不前。因此，在我们觉得恐惧如排山倒海而来时，可以仰望上帝，祂是你我智慧与勇气的泉源。
当上帝呼召耶利米作列国的先知时，耶利米立即开始怀疑自己的能力，回答说：“我不知怎样说，因为我是年幼的”（耶利米书1章6节）。但上帝并没有让耶利米的恐惧妨碍他承接这神圣的使命，祂要耶利米用言语去激励那个世代的百姓。上帝指示耶利米只要按祂所吩咐的去说、去做，全然信靠祂（7节）。上帝除了肯定耶利米之外，也让他得到能力，说：“我已将当说的话传给你。”（9节）
当我们求上帝让我们明白祂要如何使用我们，祂会赐我们能力以承接使命。因着上帝的帮助，我们能坦然无惧地发言，为身边的人带来正面的影响。
作者： 骆金妍（Kimya Loder）
你何时曾因害怕而不敢发言？
你要如何倚靠上帝的能力和智慧勇敢发言？
天父，请加添我力量，让我能善用话语的能力影响周遭的人，好让人们能够蒙福受益