Speak Up Now!

Do you find it hard to “speak up?” There are times when silence is not golden but a matte black that doesn’t meet the challenge when something is wrong. It’s important to gain a voice in these difficult times. In this episode I explore the capacity—and even the responsibility—of speaking up when silence feels easier.

Where do we find courage to speak? It grows from self-esteem. For persons of faith, the inclusion in God’s loving family provides a foundation of Worth. Those who understand their innate worth and dignity can turn that assurance into great courage. When a Power is seeking to further an agenda that hurts people, divides communities, or blocks well-being your voice can make a difference.

Transcript

 | Do you find it hard to “speak up?” I’ve always been more of an observer than an actor, more a leave-it-alone rather than a grab-it-by-the-horns guy. But there are times when silence is not golden but a matte black that doesn’t meet the challenge when something is wrong. It’s important to gain a voice in these difficult times. I’m LP the Network dedicated to your well-being. I invite you to share a few minutes as I explore the capacity—and even the responsibility—of speaking up when silence feels easier.

 | Today’s news reveals the work of powerful groups to silence opposing ideas. Authoritarian dictators arrest opponents. Protestors launch Bible verses like grenades across picket lines. Trolls attack good people on social media with hateful threats. When persons of faith challenge the Powers, sparks of conflict bring tumult—or transformation—to the world.

 | Scriptures provide examples of this difficult engagement from ages past. The prophet Elisha challenged Naaman, the desperate commander of a great pagan army, to surrender his prejudice against the God of Israel, who alone could bring healing. Paul brought a prophetic challenge to the Roman governor Agrippa, calling for him to consider his personal response to Jesus, the Lord of a new kingdom far greater than Rome. In each story we find the person of power confronted by a greater Power, embodied in a commoner who is daring to speak up for truth.

 | Where do we find courage to speak? It grows from self-esteem. Those who understand their innate worth and dignity can turn that assurance into great courage. Most of the time we feel our worth is connected to what we succeed in doing. Our society rewards those who do things with paychecks, accolades, and magazine covers. Certainly, striving for a productive life is healthy. But worth is far deeper than what is on a resume. Dr. Brenae Brown writes, “Worthiness doesn’t have any prerequisites… Here’s what is truly at the heart of Wholeheartedness: Worthy now. Not if. Not when. We are worthy of love and belonging now. Right this minute. As is.”[1]

For persons of faith, the inclusion in God’s loving family provides a foundation of Worth. God includes every human being in divine love without demanding prerequisites of holding a certain belief or performing prescribed rituals. “God proves [God’s] love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us,” is a revolutionary declaration that elevates all to unshakeable Worth.

 | Could there be some Power that needs to hear your voice? A place where your values are being ignored, or other worthy people being demeaned? If it feels wrong, it probably is! When a Power is seeking to further an agenda that hurts people, divides communities, or blocks well-being your voice can make a difference. Others will soon join you in resistance and action that strives for the common good.

 | We can gather courage by noting the voices who have spoken up over the centuries to the Powers who wanted only silence. A determined priest, Francis of Assisi, spoke truth about life with God to a medieval church enamored with wealth. A Baptist preacher of the 16th century, Thomas Helwys, delivered a call for religious liberty to the King who claimed power over the conscience of every subject. Kindergartener Ruby Bridges walked with courage to school each day in 1959, inflicting the bigots of New Orleans with a witness of equality. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is the youngest woman and youngest Latina to serve in Congress. Her upbringing in the Bronx, stellar academic record, and unparalleled energy has pushed her forward to challenge the Powers that said she couldn’t be elected or be effective in Congress. Today she is battling the MAGA agenda that threatens economic disaster for millions of average Americans. She found a voice to speak up for change.[2]

| We may feel inadequate. That’s okay. But let’s not be silent. Common folks of faith join the energy of God when we speak up for justice, equal opportunity, and love.   

[1] Brene Brown, The Gifts of Imperfection. Hazeldon Publishing, 2010.
[2] https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/alexandria-ocasio-corte