For many years it was assumed that giraffes were silent. While they have a voice box, getting airflow along their 4m trachea to vibrate their vocal folds wasn’t something that seemed to be occurring and as such no one could hear the low humming noise they were making.

Paul, from prison, asks the Colossians to pray that God would provide an opportunity for him to speak and proclaim the message of Christ. “Pray that every time I open my mouth I’ll be able to make Christ plain as day to them.” (Colossians 4:4 MSG)

When was the last time you heard the name of Jesus in a conversation outside of a church building?

For me, it was this morning in an appointment, but I wasn’t the one opening my mouth and proclaiming His name. My lovely, previously of a different faith, friend was testifying to the power of Jesus who had answered her prayers. Because when you encounter Jesus for yourself you can’t help but mention His name. When you see Him answer prayers, bring healing, hope and deliverance, you can’t help but speak of what He’s done. You open your mouth and you preach!

This morning I was reminded that I am not a giraffe. It’s not acceptable for my communication to be at such low frequencies that no one else can hear what I’m saying. Jesus was pretty clear when he departed that we’re to go into the world and “proclaim the gospel” (Mark 16:15 ESV). We’re to open our mouths and speak the good news in a way that makes Jesus “plain as day”. Jesus is the gospel. We’re to talk about Jesus because whoever publicly acknowledges Him before others will be acknowledged by Jesus before God (Luke 12:8).

Don’t freak out that you need to have all the words and all the answers. Jesus goes on in Luke 12 to say that the Holy Spirit will give us the right words at just the right time. We’ve just got to open our mouths and employ our voices.               

We are not giraffes, we have vocal cords, let’s start using them.