Time to Unmute

Zoom.

A word that used to mean momentum. A word often associated with little boys and Matchbox cars.

Today, Zoom is a video lifeline to faces and images and shared documents, and communication. It is a pathway.

On many of the Zoom calls I participate in, I am either the Host or Co-Host. This hierarchy is important as I establish a list of participants, but it’s also important in the facilitation and coordination of the meeting.

As host, I have control. This includes the ability to “Mute” and “Unmute” the microphones of the attendees. This is really useful when an individual is unaware of background noise that disrupts or overpowers the call. It is also important when I see the lips of individuals moving and realize that they are muted and don’t know it. A quick click and a voice now audible.

The power to mute and unmute. Participants empowered or constrained.

Messages heard or dismissed.

Truth amplified or ignored.

Those in positions of power with the ability to enable, or to restrict… a voice. A message. The truth.

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves;
    ensure justice for those being crushed.
Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless,
    and see that they get justice. (Proverbs 31:8-9, NLT)

Solomon. The wisest man who ever lived. His words, saturated with the power and insight of the Holy Spirit… Speak up, he says. Speak up, God says.

For those who are vulnerable, at risk, muted.

To those with the power of “the Host,” it’s time to unmute. To amplify. To defend.

On behalf of the crushed, the poor, the helpless…

Not on behalf of a political ideology, or a social concern, but on behalf of our King. In obedience to His instruction.

Speak up.

Today for Ahmaud Arbery.

His cause, our voice. For justice. In shared grief. Together. As members of Christ’s body. Aching when some have a microphone and others have no voice.

Unmuting the voiceless. Speaking up.

Our muted Savior went to the cross… so that we could proclaim Good News… as His anointed… for the poor. Liberty for the captives. Recovery of sight for the blind. Liberty for the oppressed… (Luke 4:18, ESV)

His words. Our call.

Unmuted. Heartbroken.

For the crushed. The poor. The helpless.

 For Christ. The King.