2023-02-12 A Meditation on Speaking Up
“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.” (1 Co 12:4–11 ESV)
It’s with an inclination to reassuring, to letting words be spoken only as though on a precipice and life-or-death balancing act, that we speak to reassure and to open up the voice of each and every one of us. Sometimes we do this better than other times; we assess our effectiveness by asking, can the one pained sit through what I have to say? Can the one nervous be lifted up by each word? Can the one plagued with anxiety or doubt be brought to a quieter place? So we unapologetically do unsophisticated preaching. We simply recall that God loves us.
Talents brought to the game, assets to the cipher, compatibilities of the spirit in a man or in a woman: the soldier cherishes these in his or her fellows. See the fruits of the spirit when someone tongue-tied or nervous does, in faltering but brave speech, tell of God. See told the works of the Holy Spirit. Laugh with those who laugh, and bless alongside those who bless: this son or daughter of God is on a new tack! They are open and brave, no longer speechless but lauding the works of God in their own unique way. Their perspective is unique. Their contribution is meditated on. Their testimony rings true: see blankets of acceptance, camaraderie around this the nervous one, laughter to answer brave speech.
Or see the various talents in others, prophecy, wisdom, story-telling, joking and expert witness to the shared communal life on watch. On watch the soldier is startled in the best sense by the new leaf turned over in the heart and boldness of the quieter one. The Holy Spirit brings voice to anyone with something to say. And each of us has something to say. The watching zealot is rewarded to know God works beyond life and death, in bringing clarity and charisma to the oppressed one, the one bullied in a past age, the one taught to zip it, to keep their observations to themselves.
The watcher can rest basking in the new life shining forth. The fighter can rest delighting in the personal conversion stories echoing all around. The soldier can rest satisfied by the zest for life, the determination to live on, the modest words that are coming from unlikely corners. All such things teach us to dwell post-hindrance. Post-obstacle, the life spills over into the air and thought-space, the arena of a group-mind and fabric knit, a spider’s web of pristine courage, silky ecstasy, tendrils of excitement and bedrock man-to-man, woman-to-woman, love for the brethren and sistren.
That is, we were languishing. We were afraid to face squarely the subduing force necessitated. Instead, we have converted to a soul that accepts the subdued death, in order that the excited life might shine forth. We are offensive to those in bondage. Our ecstasy is offensive, and our confidence draws ire. Yet we believe in loving people right on through, until their own souls find that resting place, that perch, just beyond the grave. We believe in boasting in life that spills abundantly. We believe in speaking in tongues, that is, the quieter spirit starting to pray or testify. We believe in healing of muteness, deafness, blindness, and demon-possession. Sometimes we don’t let the demons speak (Mk 1:34), silencing with a stern gaze and vocalized opposition. We want only good things on record, but also we are eager for the least among us to voice something. Their perspective is sacrosanct (Mt 18:10).