Developing Your Voice: Expression

“Unlocking the Glory of God”

Dear writer, I hope you had a wonderful week and began to explore your interests as an avenue to develop your voice! This week, we’re going to take a look at another aspect of voice: expression.

Expression is not just what we say. It’s the way we say it. Some of us have an easy conversational tone. For others, $100 words pop out without a second thought. Recognizing what parts of your expression are uniquely you will help you learn to develop your strengths as a writer. Because here’s the thing…

God designed you to see life and to say things in a certain way. A way that will speak to the hearts of a unique set of readers in a way no one else can. But before we dive in, let’s take a look at some who embraced their unique expressions and touched lives with it.

Expression in History

King George VI is an excellent example of a man who learned to embrace and strengthen his unique expression. Though he lived with a terrible stammer from the age of 8, King George didn’t let his intimidation of public speaking stop him from receiving the throne after his brother’s abdication. Through dedicated work with a speech therapist, King George’s voice—though an unlikely choice—turned out to be exactly the expression of courage and strength that the people of Britain needed to rally them for the second World War.

You see, writer, there may be things you think are odd or unattractive about your way of writing or speaking. But by learning to distinguish your strengths and overcome bad habits and fears, you will not only grow your skill as a writer, but the process of overcoming itself will expand your voice, too. Just like King George’s unusual struggles led to his unique way of seeing and expressing himself and built the courage he needed to call out courage in others.

Expression in the Bible

John the Baptist is another excellent example of a man who knew and embraced his unique expression. Raised as Nazirite, John’s ascetic lifestyle was an integral part of his strong message of repentance and served as striking contrast to the self-indulgent and self-important religious leaders of the day. That “voice” drew crowds of curious onlookers who were convicted by the powerful words God spoke through John. By willingly embracing the singularity of his voice, John was able to effectively stand apart and prepare the way for the Lord.

You see, writer, while there may be a temptation to blend in with the “successful,” when we discover and embrace the uniqueness God has given us, we can actively lean into and leverage that gift to reach the people God intends.

Expression in Life

I embraced my unique expression when then Lord began to move on my heart to pray for strangers. At first, I attended classes and seminars, learning about evangelism and healing prayer. I even considered seeking a mentor, when a wise friend said, “Janice, this might be something the Lord wants to walk out, just you and Him.” That immediately resonated, and as I began to follow His promptings and practice what He showed me, I developed a direct conversational approach that took the heart of all I’d learned and expressed it in my own voice. 

As a result, I’ve talked to hundreds of strangers, asking if they wanted prayer, and seen God open some unexpected doors, including meeting the neighbor who invited me to help birth the Experience Writing conference.

Here’s the thing, writer. Expression is one part desire and one part action. It’s the way we faithfully give voice to the deepest heart’s desires God’s given us. For me, I’d strongly desired to pray for others for some time. Especially for healing. And here’s the beautiful thing. As I leaned into the Lord to unlock that expression, He  not only taught me how to co-labor with Him in the lives of others but opened  whole new realms of opportunity to impact the lives of writers, too.

Expression in Your Life

You see, writer, embracing our unique expression is about learning to co-labor  with the Lord and to allow His voice to grow stronger in and through us by leaning into His design and unique way of working in, with, and through us.

When we are faithful to express the message He’s given us in the way He’s us to, refusing comparison with others or fears about who we aren’t, He takes what we have faithfully stewarded and causes it to grow. And He prepares both us and our story to reach those who need it most. Let me show you…

• • • For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all
      have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and
      individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according
      to the grace given to us, let us use them… – Romans 12:4-6
    • I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. – Psalm 139:14
    • Does the clay say to him who forms it, ‘What are you making?’
      or ‘Your work has no handles’? – Isaiah 45:9b
    • And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. – Colossians 3:17
      
    • His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ – Matthew 25:23

Discovering our unique expression is really about understanding the identity He has given us and trusting Him guide and grow us. It’s about refusing the inner critic that questions His design while simultaneously embracing excellence to become the very best “us” we can be.

Just like King George refused to count himself out because of his speech impediment and instead applied himself diligently to improving. Just like John didn’t worry about who whether people would listen to a wild-looking man in the wilderness but maintained the purity of his message. Just like I allowed the Lord to be my teacher while embracing the learning curve of learning to recognize and follow His voice, instead of simply following the plans and patterns of man. 

You see, writer, at heart learning to embrace our expression is learning to identify the unique way God speaks to us and to faithfully share what He’s given us.

Where to Start with Expression

So are you ready to explore your personal expression? Here are a few things to get you started!

1. 1. Seek the Lord. Regularly pray over your work and writing. Ask God for wisdom and an increased sensitivity to His voice as He speaks to you. When you begin to recognize more and more the way He leads you in life, it will increase your confidence to write in the unique way He’s designed you to express the message He’s given you.
   2. Don’t Assume. Sometimes it may seem that your voice doesn’t match the style or genre you feel called to write. Be open to God doing a new thing through you. He may want to re-frame a familiar topic or to use an old genre in a totally new way. Growing our expression will help us learn to recognize His leading and voice and to step into those fresh ideas from His heart.
   3. Practice. One of the best ways to recognize your unique expression is to simply begin writing. Notice how you write when you are carefree and unhindered. It’s important to remove your “editor’s hat” during this phase and allow yourself to simply create.
   4. Prayerfully Assess. Take some time to prayerfully review a collection of your written work. See what themes, trends, and traits distinguish seem to be distinctive. Ask God for wisdom to harness those distinctions to strengthen the book He has called you to write and reach the readers who need it most. This process can help you begin to sort and sift out the gems for your “youness” from bad habits that need to be corrected.
   5. God’s Word. What has God said about you? What kinds of passions, gifts, and talents has He highlighted in your life? One of the best ways to begin identifying your expression is to identify the God-words He Himself and others have spoken over your life and to simply begin agreeing with them.

Learning to embrace God’s unique expression in and through your life is really about leaning to embrace who He says you are and who He has designed and created you to be. And here’s the beautiful thing…

When we step into the full freedom of our identity in Him, it unlocks freedom in others, too.  Just like King George’s words galvanized the courage of a nation. Just like John’s submission to God opened hearts to receive Christ. Just like mine freedom to pray opened doors to unlock freedom in others in areas I never expected.

So, I encourage you today, writer. If you don’t know what your unique expression is, begin writing faithfully where you are, seeking God’s help to unlock gifting. Your never know how that faithful expression will ripple throughout the pages of time and history as you do.

#glory #voice #expression #faithfulness #EveryWriterWriting