He Knows Your NameVoorbeeld

He Knows Your Voice Did you know that your voice is as unique as your fingerprints? It’s true! Even though you might sound like your sister or even a stranger, science says that no two voices are exactly alike. We each carry a distinctive sound that reflects who we are. One gospel story about a brave woman who uses her voice is found in Matthew 15. A Syrophoenician woman approaches Jesus and asks Him to heal her child. She had a lot of obstacles to overcome to use her voice. Her gender, race, and station in life were all stacked against her, and yet she bravely comes to the table and offers her request to Jesus. Just as she’s worked up her courage to speak, the disciples begin complaining about her presence with these words: “Tell her to go away . . . She is bothering us . . .” (Matthew 15:23 nlt). Sometimes we believe the lie that we are a bother to Jesus, and it impacts our voice. We cut our prayers short, believing the lie that our needs are less important than others. We stop asking Jesus for the things our hearts most desire—the spouse, the child, the job, and the opportunity—because the enemy tells us we sound like a squeaky wheel. Or we stay away from Jesus, accepting the lie that because of our past, our name, or the way we look, we don’t deserve His attention. Can I tell you the truth about Jesus today? You are never a bother. Never. The enemy knows the power that is possible when our prayers meet the ears of Jesus, and so of course he wants to keep us quiet! The disciples may have whispered hurtful words and complained, but Jesus was true to His nature and listened. He had a lively conversation with this precious woman, and He ended their exchange by calling her faith great and healing her little girl. Jesus does not call this woman a bother. He calls her beloved. And the same is true for you today. Jesus calls you beloved. And when you use your voice, His ear is turned to hear. What if, like this brave woman, we ignored the thought that we were a bother and instead lifted our voices with passion and honesty? What if you used your voice today to connect with the Creator of your soul, who not only loves to hear your voice but recognizes its unique sound?