Someone told me when I first started preaching, "Your voice sounds different when you're up there in the pulpit."

That comment got me thinking about the possibility of having only one voice, even though I have different kinds of responsibilities and activities.

I wondered: Do I have a preacher voice, a counselor voice, an administrator voice, a teacher voice, a tennis player voice, a hospital bedside voice and a father's voice?

Could this be true for many of us? Is it possible that we don't feel like we have command of a situation unless there is a change of weight or authority in our voice? Could this be based in a fear, both at home and at work, of not being in control?

I'd like to think that my voice is the same in all circumstances, whether I'm in control or not, that although the tone may change, the person is the same.

Is it possible people are so focused on being 110 percent in control that we're afraid to relax and therefore we may not achieve what we are "supposed" to? And is it possible that in our anticipation of tomorrow's tasks, we rob ourselves of today's joy?

When joy or satisfaction escapes us for long periods, we become vulnerable to self-inflicted wounds. Our self-esteem and sense of purpose can begin to weaken.

"A wound you think you deserve is a wound that cannot heal," author David Eldredge said.

We find joy, satisfaction and healing when we find a place where we can be ourselves. While people see us using our different voices, we can see ourselves, with the help of God, using just one. And that's the voice we were born with, the "servant of God" voice.

Our identity with God is the only place we can find ourselves, be ourselves and find our true voice.

As author Brennan Manning said, "God not only loves me as I am, but also knows me as I am. Therefore, I don't need to supply spiritual cosmetics to make myself presentable to him."

So why worry about being the person that everybody else wants us to be? Our best bet is to be the person that God knows we can be.

When we invite God's perfect love to reside in us, it's possible for us, imperfect human beings, to be both confident and joyful as we do the many things we are called to do. (1 John 4:8)

It is then that we find and use our true voice.

The Rev. Darren T. Galindo is pastor of Windward United Church of Christ in Kailua. Expressions of Faith welcomes submissions from leaders in faith and spirituality. E-mail faith@honoluluadvertiser.com or call 525-8035. Articles submitted may be published or distributed in print, electronic or other forms.