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| The Barefoot Hippies at the wedding |
Think about your physical voice. Would someone describe it as high or low? Melodious? Gravelly? People's voices are fairly unique, though we do pick up other's accents and mannerisms.
Voice is such a hot topic currently that there is the reality television show of the same title: The Voice.
(Just to clarify-I have never watched the show. I just saw the previews on the Superbowl ads.)
From what I can tell, the premise of this show is that the judges are each trying to pick the winner only by hearing their voice. Not seeing the performance. Not being biased by stunning beauty or butt ugliness. It is all in the voice.
Dictionary Definition
I think you can learn a lot from the dictionary. And this is what Word Book Dictionary has to say about voice.
Voice-the ability to speak.
An advocate who represent's someone else's policy or purpose.
A means or agency by which something is communicated.
The distinctive quality, pitch or condition of a person's speech.
These definitions cover three different aspects of voice-physical voice, being a representative for someone else, and the idea of communication.
I think all three are relevant to our lives and our online presence.
A great anthem about Voice
God's VoiceHave you ever noticed how much God's voice is mentioned in the Bible? Obviously God's spoken word is powerful. The Bible is the inspired Word of God. Inspired means God breathed. The Bible is the very words of God. Ad just like you can feel your breath when your speak, so God's breath was felt when He spoke. The first chapter of the Bible is full of God said...this happened.
In addition to God's words, Job, Moses, Isaiah and David all give a lot of time to God's voice.
An awesome chapter to read is Psalm 29.
Give unto the Lord, O ye mighty, give unto the Lord glory and strength.
Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.
The voice of the Lord is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the Lord is upon many waters.
The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.
The voice of the Lord breaketh the cedars; yea, the Lord breaketh the cedars of Lebanon.
He maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young unicorn.
The voice of the Lord divideth the flames of fire.
The voice of the Lord shaketh the wilderness; the Lord shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh.
The voice of the Lord maketh the hinds to calve, and discovereth the forests: and in his temple doth every one speak of his glory.
The Lord sitteth upon the flood; yea, the Lord sitteth King for ever.
The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace.
God's voice is powerful. God's voice is full of majesty. God's voice is very evident in nature. God's voice is clear.
God's voice isn't always booming either. Elijah heard God's still small voice-after the earthquake and fire and wind. (1 Kings 19:12)
As a Christian, your voice is to be patterned after God's voice. Sometimes it will be loud and proud. Sometimes it will be the influential "still small voice."
As Christian's we are representing God to a dark world. All the time our voice should be speaking God's truth to believers and unbelievers alike.
Speaking God's truth isn't necessarily being preachy, or sharing Scripture right and left. It is our life style. It is imparting grace. It is loving like God loves.
Unique
Each person's voice is unique. Your voice reflects your upbringing, your beliefs, your personality, your strengths and weakness. Mine reflects mine.
Your voice is going to look unique.
I don't know what the stats are of blog writing people versus not blog writing people. But, it seems like almost everyone and their neighbor are blogging or have blogged in the past.
But, no two blogs are exactly alike-because no two people are exactly alike.
There are strategies to grow your blog, but it always comes back to staying true to yourself and your voice.
The thing about voice is that it isn't always words.
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| Every piece of thrown pottery is unique. |
Meres definitely has a voice though her recognizable words are about 5. Let me tell you, that girl can communicate her personality, wants, and feelings through her laughter, yells, and gestures.
Some people's voice on their blog may be more wordy. Some may be less. I am a word person. I've tried to do the Wordless Wednesday thing. It just doesn't work for me.=)
Some people's voice is crafts or dyi or cooking. Some people's voice is photography or Esty shops. Some people's voice is devotional or bookish. Some people's voice is journalistic or sharing tidbits about their family.
Whether you are using a blog, or just your life, you have a voice. What characterizes your voice? What makes your voice different from other's voices? How is your voice being heard above the noise of the crowd?
God's voice is influential. He makes stuff happen with His voice. It is no different with our voices, though it may be on a somewhat smaller scale.
Barefoot Hippie Girl Voice
In May I defined my blog's voice. I defined what I wanted people to hear. I defined it on Why Barefoot Hippie Girl page. I prayed about what God wanted from my blog. How He wanted to use my blog.
And He gave my blog voice a definite direction. It is taken from Isaiah 40:30-31-even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not grow weary; and they shall walk and not faint.
That is my mission and voice for my blog. It is to challenge all of my readers to wait on the Lord. Whether old or young. Whatever stage of life-He is the source of our strength.
I want my blog to be a place of renewal for my readers. I want it to be a place of encouragement-to keep walking and running-physically, spiritually, literally.
I sift all my posts through that template. Sometimes they are practical-recipes, projects, simplifying. Sometimes they are devotional. Sometimes they are inspirational. But-always-this is what I am aiming for.
That is my voice. Can you hear it?
How would you define your voice? I'd love to hear.
