Voices.

Sex trafficking and child slavery is happening all over the world, including in the United States. It is a clear and present reality and danger for women and children, and it hurts my heart.

Today, in an anthropology class, as the topic was being discussed and statistics were thrown around... a hand was raised at the back of the classroom and a question was asked. "Why should I care?"

My blood was quickly boiling, but then I got to thinking. Why DO I care so much? Why has this cruelty affected the way I view my world and the people in it? Why do my eyes well up just thinking about it? Why?

So, as I prayed for the bruised and tattered, broken and lonely girls who are enslaved today... I got some answers.

Here's why I care. Here's why I care deeply and passionately about these sweet girls living in bondage.

1. Because... 300,000 is not merely a statistic. Each one is a person with a name and a face, a soul, a heart, and raw emotions.

2. Because... God commands us to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with Him.

3. Because... I have been given freedom to speak, so I will use my voice to be hers.

4. Because... less than 1% of sex slaves are rescued.

5. Because... everyone is valuable, knitted and formed by the hand of God.

6. Because... whatever is costs to make a difference cannot be greater than that of a life.

7. Because... she isn't just a victim, she is loved by God.

8. Because... now that I have seen and I have heard, I am responsible. Faith without deeds is dead.

9. Because... God uses the ordinary but willing people to bring hope and freedom.

10. Because... I can plan and hope and dream about tomorrow, but she can't.

11. Because... my purpose for being on earth goes way beyond me.

12. Because... He came to set the captives free. We are His body. I am called to do great things in His name.

13. Because... my heart breaks for her broken heart.

14. Because... I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do.

15. Because... as long as there is ONE victim of sex trafficking, freedom has not fully been achieved.

16. Because... Godly men don't treat women like objects. Godly men don't buy girls.

17. Because... if she was my daughter, I would beg someone to care.

18. Because... everyone deserves a childhood.

19. Because... people are not a commodity.

20. Because... seeing ONE girl's life changed is worth it all.

21. Because... even if I pretend slavery isn't happening... it IS.

22. Because... each and every girl was created in the image of God.

23. Because... so often worth and value is determined from words spoken, whether the words are true or false. I want to be a voice of truth.

24. Because... my legacy is being written by the life I am living. What will I remembered for?

25. Because... God makes beautiful things. Out of dust. Out of us.

THIS is why I care. THIS is why I desire to love extravagantly and be daily dying to myself.

Our lives are essentially the story of whatever voices we choose to listen to and trust the most.

I spent many years of my life listening to my own voice and the voices of fear, doubt, and negativity from others. As a result, I was more often than not defeated before I had even started my day.

I seemed to always feel less than, not quite enough, inadequate, unable, and insufficient. And because I felt that way about myself, I acted and allowed myself to be treated accordingly.

It was not until I made a conscious decision to listen to and believe God's voice above all others that I found freedom.

Daily, I must choose to trust the voice of the One who knows me best, to believe the One who says I am "fearfully and wonderfully made," and to put my faith in the One who "knows the plans He has for me, plans for good and not evil, plans to prosper and not harm me."

What is the loudest voice speaking into your life?
Who are you listening to?

Are those listening to you hearing truth about who God has called them to be?

Perhaps today is a good day to change the dial to a new frequency...

The voice of hope.
The voice of life.
The voice of courage.
The voice of love.
The voice of grace.
The voice of compassion.
The voice of purpose.

The voice of God.

It starts with me. and you. let's go.