Acts 2:1–21, Verse 4: “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.”
1 Corinthians 12:4–13, Verse 11: “All these (gifts, service, working) are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.
How we doubt our inner voice and dismiss ourselves! Yet, it is the stirrings of God Within that speak to us in our innermost self. Our yearnings, desires, abilities, felt senses, and movements are conveyors of the Self/God Within. They hold “our voice” that conveys the truth of who we are and our “tongue” that holds the spirit of our true selves. The Holy Spirit gives each of us the clarity and knowing of our own voice as we seek to discern what is us and what is “not us.”
The referenced scriptures remind us that the Divine gives each of us gifts, including our “tongue”—our way of speaking, our voice. The early Christians knew the power of the Voice of God Within. Their experience with Christ directly, or indirectly, ignited the strength and connection to the silent voice of God Within. They knew from their felt experience what was true for them. This knowing gave them the ability to stand outside of the tradition and religious beliefs of the day.
The same knowing is available to us. We must claim the value of our inner process and the language of our heart and soul. We have to listen to what goes on inside us with an ear to discerning our heart’s truth and recognizing the internalized voices of others. As we listen with discernment, we begin to know our larger authentic core Self. We move from being identified with our roles and ego/self to feel our largess as an embodied Divine Spirit. We are so much bigger than any one thought, feeling, or action we have.
The voices around us often drown out our voice. The other voices can be authority figures such as parents, siblings, teachers, ministers, the latest self-help author, etc. The others can also be internalized voices repeating what people around us say or have said. We think their words are ours in spite of a niggling feeling that something is not right. Sometimes, we have forgotten who we are, what our felt experience is, and what our truth is. Other times, we hear the screaming voice of the Self/God Within, but we don’t listen. Either way, we bail on ourselves when we let others speak for us.
Inner Reflection
Take a few minutes to reflect on your conscious relationship to your Inner Divine Voice. What are you hearing? What are you resisting hearing? Are you listening to others over your Self? How and where is the Self/God Within leading you? Ask for clarity and strength to hear and follow your true voice—the voice of God Within.
Part 2, Identifying Shame and Guilt
The shame and guilt of being different and separate from others are part of what interferes with our hearing, believing, and trusting God Within. As we mediate these feelings (by connecting them to the whole of who we are), the feelings become bearable. We begin to know what/who we are, and what/who we are not. We feel the value of our self/ego related to our Self/God Within.
Inner Reflection
Where do shame and guilt stop you from hearing and valuing your inner voice? Where do you know and feel your value? Ask God Within to help you stay connected to your truth in the face of shame and guilt. Begin to claim and follow the voice of your heart and soul.