I won’t be silenced. You can’t keep me quiet. Won’t tremble when you try it – all I know is I won’t go speechless. Let the storm in. I cannot be broken. No, I won’t live unspoken, ’cause I know that I won’t go speechless. (Aladdin, 2019)

So I recently had the opportunity to see the new Aladdin movie (even with all the critiques I had heard about it). This is not a movie review, however, I will say that though some of those critics were accurate, what was often overlooked was the dramatically different turn the story took.

Taking a lesson from history, they drew Jasmine out from being a supporting character to being an equal with her hero. In reality, his superior by the end. And these words come from her song written for the new movie.

Aside from appreciating the strong female character, I have found myself replaying these words around and around in my head. The entire song speaks to the indomitable spirit that lies within every human being, every child of God.

Yes, there are times when the world attempts to silence us and keep us in our place. However, at some point, God desires all of us to find the strength to stand in the midst of the storm.

For there are many things wrong with this world – but we are an essential part of the way God intends to fix it.

Whether we speak for ourselves or for other voices long-silenced, we must use our voices well in whatever position we find ourselves. And then we must work with great diligence to empower others to make their voices heard.

This is what God has done throughout history. Made in God’s image, it is what we are called to do, too. Because we are all made for more than the broken world would have us be.

So find your voice, then use it to help shape this world into a better place for us all. Do not go speechless.