My Voice Matters

12–15 minutes

Center · Stillness

Settle in

Put the phone down. Take one slow breath, and say: “God, I am here. Speak, I am listening.”

Read · The passage

Scripture

Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed.

Proverbs 31:8, BSB

Learn · Reflection

Reflection

There are moments when staying quiet seems easier, especially when we feel afraid or unsure. But God can also use your voice to bring courage, truth, and help to other people. You do not have to speak louder than everyone else. You only have to learn to use your voice with courage, love, and wisdom.

Esther lived in the palace, but on the inside she was full of fear. There was an unjust situation that could affect her whole people, and she had important information. The problem was that speaking up could bring consequences.

For a moment, she thought about staying quiet. Maybe someone else could do it. Maybe it was safer not to get involved. Then she received a message that made her think deeply: “And who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

Esther understood that her voice had a purpose. That staying silent was also a decision. So she gathered her courage and spoke. Not because the fear had gone away, but because she understood that there are moments when telling the truth matters more than feeling comfortable.

Sometimes we think our opinion does not matter, or that we are too small to make a difference. But God can also use our voice to help, to defend, to encourage, and to bring hope to other people. Your voice has value. When it is used with love and truth, it can do a great deal of good.

Talk · Conversation

Talk about it

Who around you is going through something unfair and needs someone to speak up for them?

Thank · Gratitude

Give thanks

Today I thank God for giving me a voice that can defend and encourage someone else.

Ask · Prayer

Pray together

God, as you did for Esther, give me courage to speak when staying quiet would be more comfortable. Teach my voice to tell the truth with love.

Begin · Application

Carry it into the day

Today, say one word out loud in defense of, or in encouragement to, someone nobody is listening to.

Scripture quoted from the Berean Standard Bible. Public domain (CC0)