Who Will Speak For You?

“First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—     Because I was not a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—     Because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—     Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.”

Lutheran pastor Martin Niemoller penned those words in the aftermath of World War II. Initially a supporter of the National Socialist Party, Niemoller began recoiling at the injustices he witnessed and realized too late that his opportunity to speak out had been abdicated. When he finally lifted his voice, it was quickly suppressed and he was imprisoned for years in Nazi-run concentration camps. After the war he made his mission to speak out about speaking out.

As I type these words early in the morning, with coffee at hand, I am mindful that I am standing on the verge of the next great phase of my calling. For my entire adult life, I have pursued the opportunity to serve, lead and speak. But more than that, I have made it my mission to tell others of the value that their own voice has in world events.

On Rightside Radio, I have made it a point to tell anyone who would listen that there are “more of us than there are of them,” and to consider how they might speak into their moments. I am convinced that the voice of one man, one woman, one group can change the dynamic. When those singular voices are empowered to speak as a whole … the world can shift on its axis.

Civil discourse too often seems a thing of the past. Pink hair, nose rings, and inflatable unicorn costumes can shout at the so-called “No Kings” rallies, leaving folks wondering where the sanity is. They are still exercising their First Amendment rights, and I support their right to be wrong, if you know what I mean.

But public discourse is only a conversation if it goes two ways. It is actually possible to have a solid, conservative, well-intentioned, cogent, thoughtful, authoritative voice without resorting to the crimes and crazy antics we see on the left. Those of us on the right cannot be silent. The highly vocal left-wing base of society tells us that right is wrong, and wrong is right, and women can be men. They will shout that faith is foolish, that America is systemically racist, that we need to pay more taxes, and that the Constitution is up for interpretation. If you and I don’t agree, then we must speak out.

And that spoken word can be anywhere, everywhere, and all the time. We are not called to simply be faith-filled, constitutionally-grounded conservatives when we are most comfortable. Defending truth and justice is a 24/7 job. It is a responsibility, a stewardship. If we don’t speak up when needed, then the pink-haired, nose-ring-wearing unicorn wins.

Throughout history the failure of good people to speak has allowed the greatest travesties. Bad actors certainly bear responsibility, but good people often could have intervened and chose not to because it was uncomfortable … because it was scary … because it might hurt their business … or their standing in the community.

Alabama author Andy Andrews dealt with this thought head-on in his bestseller, “How Do You Kill 11 Million People?” saying:

Every man of character will have that character questioned. Every man of honor and courage will be faced with unjust criticism, but never forget that unjust criticism has no impact whatsoever upon the truth. And the only sure way to avoid criticism is to do nothing and be nothing.

Having a voice requires no formal education or highbrow worldly experience. In Acts 4 Peter and John stood before the leaders of their time and amazed them with their words. They were noted to be “unschooled ordinary men.” Just everyday folks who did not shrink from their mission, saying only, “[W]e cannot help speaking about what we’ve seen and heard.” So they spoke. And they changed the world.

Speaking takes resolve. Courage elicits voice. Resolve and courage are things that become a part of your character. You will be known for them. Or you be known for being without them.

But resolve and courage are like muscles. If left unused they atrophy. Train yourself for the day that your voice is needed. Let me offer a simple exercise.

Pick one topic. Make it something you are passionate about. It could be faith, or liberty, or the right to life. It could be found locally, statewide, or on the national level. And then ask yourself: “What would I say if…?”

Take some time to mull your answer. Read commentaries from trusted sources. Ask family and friends their thoughts. Dialogue your answer in your mind. Turn off the music in your car, spend a minute without the TV or electronic device playing. Dwell on your answer. Make yourself ready to speak when the time comes on that one thing. What would you say … “if?”

We preferred to keep silent,” said Niemoller, going on to say:

We are certainly not without fault, and I ask myself again and again, what would have happened, if in the year 1933 or 1934—there must have been a possibility—14,000 Protestant pastors and all Protestant communities in Germany had defended the truth until their deaths? … I can imagine that perhaps 30,000 to 40,000 Protestant Christians would have had their heads cut off, but I can also imagine that we would have rescued 30–40 million people, because that is what it is costing us now.

Gather your resolve. Exercise your courage.

What would you say “if…?”

Niemoller lived with that question for the rest of his life.