Christ Has No Voice But Yours - Empowering Others to Use Their Voice

Empowering Others to Use Their Voice

“You hold space really well.” I remember the exact moment when my friend Bridget named this gift in me. We had just spent a less-than-perfect Thanksgiving dinner with her family, where everyone seemed to get on each other’s nerves. We left as soon as dessert was finished, and I watched the tears begin to fall down her face before we even pulled out of her parents’ driveway. She cried through our entire one-hour drive back to her apartment, grateful to have a friend with an empathetic ear.

I love listening to people tell stories! Everyone has a story to share, and telling stories is part of being human. We tell stories to preserve memories, to make sense of the absurdities of life, to teach lessons to our children, and to inspire and motivate people to take action. Stories have the power to change lives if we open ourselves to tell them and share them.

How do we empower people to use their voice for good? It begins by holding space for people, not simply physical space – but also cultivating the emotional and spiritual capacity to listen without judgment, to ask curious questions, and offer people a word of hope.

The Power of Vulnerability

I serve on the board of Iskali, a dynamic ministry organization that serves first and second generation Latino young adults. At the start of every board meeting, we invite one of the jovenes to share a witness talk. Each of them carries stories of humble beginnings and hard-working families who have made great sacrifices for their children. We recently heard from a successful young woman, who spoke about losing her mom and her subsequent struggles with self-esteem, and how she found strength in her faith community. It was not an easy story for her to tell.

After hearing her testimony, I was blown away by the way our board members opened up to one another. I watched seasoned business professionals moved to tears by sharing their own stories of overcoming hardships. When one person dares to be vulnerable, it makes all of us feel less alone in our struggles. The invitation to see God at work in the difficult moments of life shines a light for all of us to recognize God’s presence.

Listen With Curiosity and Without Judgement

I attend a regular storytelling workshop at a local Irish pub, where ordinary people get on stage and tell real life stories. One night I struck up a conversation with the guy sitting next to me. Michael was sipping on a soda and began telling me about a recent mission trip to Alaska with his church. We immediately connected over a shared love for the great outdoors and a common understanding of faith. Then he made an off-handed comment about “not always fitting-in with the Jesus crowd.” With a curious glance I said, “tell me more about that.” I soon learned that his life journey includes a battle with addiction, homelessness, and unemployment. Faith and sobriety are what saved him. We continued talking long after the event was over. A few weeks later, Michael told those same stories in front of a live audience on stage!

Know Your Why

In my full-time work, I help train ordinary citizens to speak to their members of congress about supporting communities around the world who are impacted by poverty. We often talk about “knowing your why” and I give the example of growing up in rural Nebraska with fond memories of butchering chickens with my grandma. My story of “why” includes God calling me to service and ministry, how our faith compels us to feed the hungry, and the sense of solidarity I feel with farmers around the world.

During a recent townhall meeting with a prominent Senator, someone asked, “How do we get congressional leaders to listen to us?” This long-time legislator replied, “There are 6 words that always grab my attention – Let. Me. Tell. You. A. Story.” He said, “If you can tell a compelling story about why a policy issue is important to you, then you will have my undivided attention, and a good chance at winning my support.”

Stories matter. Your story matters! God cares about the details of our lives, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant. God is the author of each story we tell, and to give voice to our stories is to echo the voice of God deep within. We come to know God more intimately when we reflect on the stories that have shaped our lives, and when we use our voices to be a source of strength and hope for others.

Likewise, Jesus was a masterful storyteller! He used simple language, often speaking through parables, and offering a word of healing and forgiveness. As the scriptures tell us, always be ready to give a reason for your hope, and do so with gentleness and reverence. (1 Peter 3:15-16)

Going Deeper:

• Eric Clayton writes, in his weekly blog and email, about uncovering stories in unexpected places
• Explore your own story with this Wisdom Story Examen from Vinita Wright.

Thank you!

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Photo by Shirish Suwal on Unsplash

Beth Knobbe

Beth Knobbe is an author, speaker, and ministry professional based in Chicago, Illinois. She earned a Master of Divinity Degree from Catholic Theological Union and serves as a Senior Trainer with Catholic Relief Services, engaging Catholics in living their faith in solidarity with the poor around the world. Beth is an avid traveler and is passionate about her vocation to the single life. Beth is the author of Party of One: Living Single with Faith, Purpose, and Passion (2011) and Finding My Voice: A Young Woman’s Perspective (2009). Her personal blog can be found at www.bethknobbe.com.