Words

I am so full of words...

but what can I say that has not already been spoken? Centuries of poems and prophets have given us more than enough words to last a lifetime.

I've heard more than my fair share of others' words: the ramblings of madmen (and women) who love nothing more than to spout venom, the beguiling words of preachers peddling hope, and politicians saying whatever they think people want to hear.

But I know that words still have meaning and power even if uttered a thousand times. Insults still linger in my memories and I am haunted by foolish statement made a decade ago. And I have heard nearly every form of "I love you" that I can fathom and I can still be caught of guard by that simple phrase...and I can even feel the words forming behind my lips; begging to be set free.

It is so much easier to hold my words inside, to let them build into a silent scream within me rather than to actually let them loose.

Life and death are in the tongue...

Empires rise and fall on words. It takes very little to destroy one's reputation or credibility. I'm amazed by those who have the confidence to fully speak their minds. Even when my ears are assaulted by the most foolish statements, I can't help but admire their boldness. I get too hung up on the words I want to say, too worried of the unseeable, potential disaster that might occur. Paralyzed by the unknown impact of asking the wrong question, or perhaps even asking the right question.

Words belong to all, and can be used in a myriad of ways but all words yield equal ruination if spoken to the wrong audiences or with low intent. And even still, they may be spoken and effectively benign. It is not the words themselves that matter but the voice that gives them energy and intent. It is the soul that empowers them to create or destroy.

There are no words I can say that have not already been said, but my voice is mine and mine alone. It is a sacred element of who I am and it is what wields words for good or for ill.

Even in silence, one's voice can shake the foundations of the earth and bring kingdoms to wrath and ruin. One can use their voice to inspire or destroy, but how terrible it is to not use one's voice at all. Or worse, to never realize they have one...

"In the beginning was the Voice..."

People all around the world believe in the power of the spoken word. Myths from various religions have proselytized that all of creation was forged from the voice(s) of divine intent. Yet we have become so flippant with our speech and given way to misinformation and hateful rhetoric.

People sit by and watch as lies give them permission to be passive. Oppression and affliction silencing entire people groups crying out to be heard...to be acknowledged and set free.

It is not enough to know truth. We must give voice to it.

Only then can the truth set us free...