Use Your Voice, Do Good

Last week a group of authors, speakers, actors, and musicians who promote the work of World Vision met in Nashville to inspire one another by the words of this credo: Use Your Voice. Do Good

If you know what I’ve been up to lately, you know this theme is not only right up my alley, it walked through my front door, and has been sitting at my kitchen table for the past year or so. I’ve been speaking on Cultivating a Creative Life, and the heartbeat of the message is sow all that you are into the fields God has given you. In other words, use YOUR voice, do GOOD.

I couldn’t take notes fast enough as several speakers took the stage. Let me share just a few sparks….

Al Andrews (founder of Porter’s Call, author of The Boy,The Kite and The Wind) encouraged us to dream scary, ridiculous huge dreams. The kind that don’t make sense. Like, how God dreams. Dreaming an ordered universe out of chaos. A nation of descendants from an old couple past child-bearing age. The birth of His only son from an unmarried virgin.

When God imagines, He does good. A dream benefits others, a fantasy benefits yourself.

Truth.

Ian Cron (author Chasing Francis and  Jesus, My Father, the CIA and Me) told the story of the Cellist of Sarajevo and read a stunning passage from his memoir about the difference between jumping and falling. (!!) He reminded us not to forget ourselves and get lost down in the weeds. To remember, the errand on which God has sent us…

We inspire
We name wrongs
We awaken love
We call people to action

Yes.

Charlie Peacock (musician, author, producer, etc.) delivered a full meal of encouragement and exhortation. He echoed Al’s words to have holy kingdom imaginations, that dream for the glory of God and the good in others then told us to find the joy and take pleasure in it. (Why do we so often forget this part…?)

Your words and your works tell a story that will live beyond you.

WORD.

I’m getting ready to record a new album of songs I’m deeply passionate about and want to share with others. I feel like I arrived at this conference with a pretty good-sized flame going in my heart. Excited about the beauty and message in these songs, and the good I hope they will do. I left with a full on bonfire, so grateful God saw fit to fan those flames.

Friend,  use the voice God has given you to dream and do good.