By Karin Peter, senior president of seventy
Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped him, but they doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
In first grade, if we were caught talking, our teacher would draw a small circle on the chalkboard, then have us place our nose in the circle and stay there until she released us to return to our seat. I spent a lot of time that year at the chalkboard. When my parents inquired about this, the teacher told them, “She doesn’t really talk any more than the other children, but I hear her more often because her voice carries.”
A voice that carries, an amplified voice, isn’t loud so much as it is “heard.” An amplified voice captures the attention of the hearer. It is caught up and carried by the wind to reach new people and new places. A voice that carries creates opportunities to share with amplified purpose, amplified compassion, and amplified hospitality. As disciples of Jesus and inheritors of the commission to carry the good news far and near, we can use some amplification to our voices, our witness, and our mission.
In Christian ministry there is a phrase “God is a sending God. God sent Jesus, Jesus sent the Spirit, the Spirit sends the church.” On this Trinity Sunday, we can revisit that phrase and remind ourselves that “we” are sent. We wade into the messiness of the world in partnership with the divine presence, to amplify our voices, our ministry, and our message of the healing, restoring purposes of God.
A voice that carries may have been to my detriment as a first grader, but amplified voices, voices that carry, are exactly what are needed as we bear God’s love into the world.
Prayer Phrase
“In his hand is the life of every living thing” (Job 12:10).
Trees
Watch the trees outside your window for a few moments. Close your eyes and meditate on Alma’s words about seeds and trees. If you were to plant and grow the Word of God in your heart, what tree might symbolically represent this process? Imagine a seed as it grows into a tree of life and blessing. Ask God to show you how to begin (see Alma 16:152–173).
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.