“I raise up my voice—not so I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard. We cannot succeed when half of us are held back.” –Malala Yousafzai

“The power of life and death is in the tongue.” (Proverbs 18:21) The world in which we live is created by thoughts and ideas. Every significant accomplishment was at first an articulated thought. When we begin to speak the words of hope and equality, we begin to make them possible. They take on a life of their own.

It’s particularly important that we speak for those who cannot. Malala was an Afghani school girl who was shot in the head, because she was determined that she and other girls should have their education and equality. After ten days in a comma, she came out even more determined to speak.

Her voice has inspired people from around the world to support the cause of equality for girls making it more possible each day.

Our voices matter. “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” Proverbs 31:8-9

I’m Horace McMillon. This is 60 Seconds of Hope. Peace be with you.

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"Each person must live their life as a model for others." - Rosa Parks

Each one of us has something to learn. Every single one of us has something to teach. We learn from our personal experiences. We benefit even more from the knowledge others hold and the lessons we observe.

The word disciple means student. We are all invited to be students of life. For those of us who are followers of Jesus, we seek more and more each day to more fully embrace the way. We do that in no small part by learning from each other’s example.

Hopefully one day we can all be as confident as the Apostle Paul was when he invited the Corinthians to imitate him as he imitated Christ. (1 Cor. 11:1). That’s a pretty high standard. We can all stretch towards it.

Even if that seems out of reach for us at the moment, we all have a little light to shine. Jesus in Matthew invites us to “let our light shine before others, that they may see our good deeds and glorify our Father in heaven.’ (Matthew 5:16)

I’m Horace McMillon. This is 60 Seconds of Hope. Peace be with you.

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Each of us is responsible for determining our desired destination in life and for choosing the roads we travel in our efforts to reach that place.

Along the way we have to ask ourselves two questions. First, ‘Is our desired destination really where we really want to end up?’ If it is, then we have to ask, ‘if we are on the right road to get there?’

Luke 15 tells the story of a young man who, “ got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.” And when the money was gone he found himself desperate, hungry and alone.

The destination he thought he wanted, he discovered wasn’t where he wanted to be. He chose a new destination, and traveled a different road. In his case, he went back home.

Home might not be an option for all of us. But there is a better place for all of us. We must choose the right pathways to get there.

I’m Horace McMillon. This is 60 Seconds of hope. Peace be with you.

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