“You have a voice. And you have God’s permission to use it.
In some communities, certain voices are amplified and elevated while others are erased and suppressed. It can be hard to speak up, especially in the ugliness of social media. Power dynamics keep us silent and marginalized, especially when race, ethnicity, and gender are factors. What can we do about it?” (from book description)
This is the question Kathy Khang tackles in this book. Using biblical examples such as Esther, Moses and Peter, as well as sharing personal stories from herself and others, she looks at some of the reasons why raising our voices can be difficult, and she encourages us and challenges us to speak up, reminding us that our voices have been given to us by God and they are meant to be used!
Too often culture tells us to remain silent. Speaking up, especially about situations of injustice, can be seen as “rocking the boat” or “causing trouble” and many of us have been taught to keep the peace.
At other times we stay silent because we benefit from the status quo and so have a vested interest in maintaining it.
And then there’s the reality that speaking up can be risky. We have no guarantee about how our words will be received and fear of the consequences can cause us to hold back but, as Khang writes, “We will make mistakes whether or not we choose to speak out.”
She highlights the value of different voices and the importance of listening to the voices of people whose culture and experience is different from our own. Raising our voices should never become a competition to see who can shout the loudest. She writes, “part of learning to speak up is encouraging others to do the same.”
She also provides some helpful advice on when and how to speak up, both in real life and online, such as praying, considering your motivation, rehearsing the points you want to make, and being willing to ask questions and listen to others’ perspectives in return.
Questions for discussion or reflection are supplied at the end of the book to help in applying the message of the book to our own situations.
If you’ve ever struggled to speak out then this book is for you! It is a challenging read and a call to action, but also full of encouragement that you have got something important to say and that your voice needs to be heard!
Here are two more of my favourite quotes:
“Being a Jesus-follower, trusting in God’s sovereignty, and believing in our hearts that God is in control, doesn’t absolve us from speaking out or taking action against injustice.”
“Raising your voice is never about creating disruption for disruption’s sake. It’s always about disrupting something in order to bring about change, something new that better reflects the hope and fullness of the gospel and the kingdom of God here on earth as it is in heaven.”
I’ll finish with a video clip. This has no association with the book, but I think it ties in well with the message. It’s a song from Sister Act the Musical which is also entitled “Raise Your Voice.”
“Raise Your Voice” launches in the US on Tuesday 31st July. You can read an extract here and find it on Amazon here. It won’t be released until 31st August in the UK but you can pre-order it here.
I’m grateful to IVP for access to a complementary digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I only share books here that I believe will genuinely be beneficial to my readers.
Amazon links are not affiliate links, but simply provided for your convenience.
Thank you for that review, it sounds like a great read.
Jennifer
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Jennifer!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have this book in my pile, and I’m SO looking forward to reading it. Every time I read a review, I’m tempted to bump it up to the top!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hope you enjoy it, Michele! I’d love to hear your thoughts once you’ve read it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Don’t you just love how God used Moses even though his man of the hour was most reluctant and filled with excuses …
I guess we not only need to listen up, but be able to discern when to speak up.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, I have been like Moses many times. It’s encouraging that God didn’t give up on him!
LikeLike
Hmm…this sounds like a book I need to look into! I probably err on the “too quiet” side versus the “too noisy” side. Going to see where I can find it now! Thanks, Lesley.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hope you enjoy it, Lisa!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Lesley. I found it on Net Galley so I put in for a review copy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for posting a review. We all need to find our voices and use them in a way it will be beneficial.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Maree! Yes, I think this book has some great advice for us all.
LikeLike
Lesley, what a great book review! When I saw the title of your post, it brought me immediately to your One Word for the year. 🙂 This book sounds like a needful one in a world where voices are used for many different purposes and with many intentions.
I especially appreciate the second book quote you shared. It got me thinking.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Jeanne! Voice was actually my word for last year, but it was such a good one that I haven’t quite let go yet! 🙂 I probably still write more about that than my word for this year, which is Focus (though that has been a really helpful word too- I just haven’t shared so much!)
I’m glad you liked the quote!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I guess Voice is such a unique One Word that I got it mixed up. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hadn’t heard of this book, sounds like a great read! I’ll add it to my list. Thanks for the review and the encouragement to speak up in a constructive, God-honoring way!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Aixa! Hope you enjoy it if you manage to read it. I enjoyed reading your blog post too. I left a comment but it seemed to vanish when I submitted it. You may find it in your spam folder!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful review! Adding it to the list 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you liked it, Stacey!
LikeLike
What a beautiful challenge to all of us to not only remember that we have a voice but to use it for good. It sounds like the book is convicting in a good way. Thank you for sharing it with all of us.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Mary! It’s definitely a worthwhile read!
LikeLike
This is a good piece of advice for bloggers as well: “Raising our voices should never become a competition to see who can shout the loudest. ” Thanks for sharing your views on this book.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it definitely applies to blogging too! We need to listen to others as well and encourage them as they raise their voices. Thanks for visiting, Ami!
LikeLike