The Voice

Did you ever wonder what it would be like to see things the way other people see them?  To think like they think, talk like they talk, interact as they interact?

Each person has a "voice". It is what constitutes their character. The Apostle Paul had one - one that morphed according to the circumstances surrounding him (1Cor. 9:22). The Apostle Peter had one. It often landed him in predicaments he might rather have avoided. Even after the resurrection of Christ, his 'voice' was still his.  John had one, Mark, Luke, and Matthew had one. Each speaking with a "voice" that bore distinction and was unique to them.

Everyone has a voice. Most of us are true to our voice. The one primary exception might be politicians, but they are in a category by themselves. Yet, in reality, they often reflect "our" voice, or so they say prior to election.

Each person's voice is special to them. It is what draws us to them or repels us. Does that mean we seek to change their voice? I would hope not. To do so means we would be left with one less unique voice in the universe. If we changed everyone's voice to reflect personal desires, we would wind up with a solo that almost no one would listen to except the person who created it.

Paul altered his voice on a couple of occasions. One most notably in his second letter to the Corinthians. He did it in order to "boast", which apparently was not his nature, but necessitated because of circumstances (2Corinthians 11-12).  This is interesting because many people are prone to boast as a matter of course. This was true of the false apostles Paul was engaging and is especially true in our American culture. Boasting is often how we set ourselves apart or elevate ourselves from our neighbors, our co-workers, even our friends.

Boasting, in a certain form, has become a part of my voice and I do not like it. It is not necessarily new, but it is something that I have come to realize and desire to repel. (Is that boasting or confessing?) I became conscious and aware while having a conversation with another individual and I found most of our interaction was simply trying to "out boast" one another.  I did not like it at all.

I am not sure how my voice will sound without the element of boasting. Perhaps it will be more inviting. Or perhaps, it will fall away in obscurity. Either way boasting is on its way out and that is something to boast about!   :)