A friend of my father’s once lost his voice. Literally. His name was Michael Black. For months the guy could not utter one word. It was the strangest thing. Then out of the blue , as if by the wave of some magical wand, he could speak again.

Michael’s story was certainly interesting, but not instructive. 

There’s a quest in the creative world that we call “finding our voice”.

But it’s not gonna happen like Mr. Black. You won’t discover your awesome by accident or happenstance.

The thing is, your voice has never been lost. You have just not yet discovered how to use it to best effect. 

How many authors and influencers are waiting vainly for some magical moment in which they suddenly stumble upon their “voice”, and the ear of a previously preoccupied world? Then they’ll get started… 

But they never start. The mysterious muse eludes them.

This is a real challenge for otherwise creative and intelligent people. The belief that finding your voice, your unique and resonant note in the choir (or cacophony?) of other voices in the marketplace, will somehow happen by a sudden awakening. 

I’m a passionate believer in miracles, and would never discount any anomaly, but here in the everyday world of content creation, that would be the exception not the rule.

So how can a writer, a podcaster, a blogger or author find their voice? 

By using it!

It really as simple and as scary as that.

To discover your writing style you have to start writing. A lot.

To unearth your amazing you’ll need to start speaking, writing, or singing.

Your instrument might be a paintbrush, a piano key, or a keyboard, but it is by reason of use that your ‘special’ will start showing up.

Let me warn you too, the journey toward your hope can be a tough one. It will shake every branch of your tree, and rumble your insecurities to the core. Because that;’s where you are trying too get to. Your core. The heart from which the issues of life will flow.

Be sure that once you start being bold enough to try, to speak out, you might be criticised.

Or, and this is sometimes worse, be singing to the crickets.

But here in the secret place, honing your craft and owning your gift, something amazing begins to form. The hand and heart of God goes deep and shapes the message He has commissioned you to bring.

As creatives we have been placed on the planet for reasons that cannot be easily quantified. The lines that we draw are often not straight, and the factors at work in producing work that really resonates is often a journey of revision, reiteration, revelation, and return. Coming back again and again to the heart of God and allowing Him to shape us.

Your message, some say, will be found in your mess. 

One time Larna lost an golden bracelet. She had no idea where it had gone, but the Holy Ghost showed her were to look. He highlighted our garden bin, filled with tangled deals branches and dirt. There it was. Hidden in the muck.

But few people want to sift though the rubbish to discover their gold.

The problem is we often don’t want to face the embarrassment of being an amateur. We don’t want to put ourselves on the line without some guarantee. We’re unwilling to accept than an audience of One is where we all begin.

Go make something. Start digging for your voice. 

Don’t wait until until it’s clear. Don’t pause until it’s perfect. 

Your voice is waiting for you, and the world is waiting for your voice.

It may have been buried under disappointments. It may have been shrouded in fears and insecurities. Maybe your unique contribution is clouded by excuses and reasons you think no one would listen.

But it has never been lost. You are not looking for something outside of yourself.

You sufficiency is of God (2 Corinthians 3:5). 

He has planted His will and ways in your heart and you have been given the royal privilege of stewarding that gift. 

Whatever talent you have, don’t be scared to bring it to the table.

I said it earlier, and I’ll say it again.

Your voice is waiting for you, and the world is waiting for your voice. Go find it.