I Use My Voice - Kaitlyn Cey

Hi, my name is Kaitlyn and I am the Director of Inspire Our Nation. 

Last week, I had my blood taken. The process was taking forever and many of the people waiting in line were furious. As I tried to speak with the nurse directing us, her mask was covering her mouth and the noise around us made it difficult for me to hear her. 

She repeated herself three times and I still wasn’t sure what she was trying to tell me. Through the mayhem around us, she was kind, and made me feel important – even though we could hear others complaining in every direction. Although many people were frustrated with her, she remained calm and kind while speaking with me. 

Although she was quiet – my interaction with her spoke loudly about what it truly means to have a voice. 

To have a voice for God’s Kingdom doesn’t mean you are making the loudest sound… it means you are lifting others up to reach their full potential for God’s Kingdom. That day as I waited in line, I watched that nurse direct people kindly and speak with them one by one, ensuring that they felt seen, heard and understood. 

During the COVID-19 Pandemic, I have been privileged to lead Inspire alongside a passionate, dedicated and brilliant group of diverse people from across Canada. Our team is made up of 25 committed team members with important giftings, perspectives and contributions to the mission.

I am continuing to learn that directing people in God’s kingdom has much more to do with listening than it does with speaking. 

As a leader, my voice and influence actually grows when I am quiet, supportive, ask good questions and seek to understand my team members. Jesus best demonstrated what it means to have a voice of influence in the world. He did it by pulling out a towel and humbly washing the grimy feet of his followers. The King of the Universe paused to see the rejects of society, to understand their needs, and offer physical and spiritual help and healing. Kingdom building has never been about out-shouting or giving directives. Instead, it is about humbly lying down our rights and using our voices to uplift others.

Although I am often tempted to tell others what I think is best – I am learning that to lead and love like Jesus is what truly makes someone’s voice powerful. I am extremely proud of the Inspire team – and the way we all support, love and listen to one another – so we can all move towards God’s mission – and it is my ongoing prayer that together, our collective voices sound like physical and spiritual help and healing to a hurting world. 

And in Canada, we stand alongside many other people and organizations working towards the same purpose. If you are reading this, and you share this mission, thank you for being on mission with us! We love the Canadian Church and all of the unique and exquisite expressions! 

From all of us at Inspire Our Nation,

We are cheering you on and praying for you – youth, leaders, parents and care-givers - as you allow Jesus to INSPIRE you to OVERCOME struggle and INFLUENCE your world for Jesus!

And may we all keep making our voices bigger by listening well, walking humbly and empowering others to reach their full potential for Jesus!