A VOICE TO THE WORLD

Helping people grow in wisdom, lead with humility, and carry life with Jesus.

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about

I’m Nathaniel Hill Jr.—a follower of Jesus, husband, father, speaker and author of The Easy Yoke. Through A Voice to the World, I write about Scripture, leadership, spiritual formation, and learning to carry life with Jesus. My hope is to encourage others to grow in wisdom, deepen their walk with Christ, and leave a legacy that points people to Him.

  • Wisdom Leaves a Legacy

    Reflections from Proverbs 15

    This morning I spent time reading Proverbs 15.

    As I worked my way through the chapter, one thought stopped me in my tracks. I couldn’t move on because it kept echoing in my mind.

    Wisdom affects generations.

    The longer I sat with that thought, the more another truth became clear.

    Foolishness affects generations too.

    We often think our decisions only affect us. We convince ourselves that our attitudes, our words, or the way we choose to live are personal matters. But Scripture paints a different picture.

    The life we live today will shape someone else’s tomorrow.

    Every decision is planting something.

    Every conversation is leaving a mark.

    Every habit is creating a pattern.

    Whether we realize it or not, someone is learning from the way we respond to pressure, disappointment, success, conflict, and joy.

    Our children are watching.

    Our coworkers are watching.

    Our friends are watching.

    The people we lead are watching.

    Even those who never say a word are often learning from the example we set.

    That’s why wisdom matters.

    It’s also why foolishness is so destructive.

    When foolishness is passed from one generation to the next, it often takes incredible courage, humility, and the grace of God for someone to break the cycle. We’ve all seen families where anger, addiction, pride, bitterness, or fear have been handed down for generations.

    But the opposite is true as well.

    When wisdom is passed down…

    When it is received…

    When it is lived…

    Entire families change.

    Churches become healthier.

    Communities become stronger.

    Legacies are rewritten.

    As I continued reading Proverbs 15, I noticed that wisdom isn’t described as simply knowing more.

    It is revealed in the ordinary rhythms of life.

    Wisdom changes the way we speak.

    The way we listen.

    The way we receive correction.

    The way we treat people.

    The way we trust God.

    One verse especially challenged me:

    “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
    — Proverbs 15:1

    Immediately I found myself praying, “Lord, help me with this.”

    How many conflicts could be avoided if I responded with gentleness instead of defensiveness?

    How many relationships could be strengthened if I cared more about reflecting Christ than winning an argument?

    As I kept reading, I started writing down the characteristics of a wise life that Proverbs 15 points us toward.

    Lessons I Don’t Want to Forget

    • Have a soft and gentle tongue.
    • Listen to the Father’s instruction.
    • Continue seeking understanding.
    • Share knowledge generously.
    • Don’t be influenced by foolish voices.
    • Fear the Lord.
    • Surround yourself with godly counsel.
    • Welcome correction instead of resisting it.
    • Pay attention when God speaks in season.
    • Walk in humility.

    One verse particularly challenged my thinking:

    “Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure with turmoil.”
    — Proverbs 15:16

    That verse made me stop.

    Our culture constantly tells us to pursue more.

    More success.

    More influence.

    More recognition.

    More possessions.

    More accomplishments.

    But Proverbs reminds us that peace with God is worth more than abundance without Him.

    I’d rather have less and walk closely with Jesus than gain everything this world offers while losing the peace that only He can give.

    As I finished writing in my journal, my thoughts turned toward my children.

    Someday they probably won’t remember every sermon I preached.

    They won’t remember every meeting I attended.

    They won’t remember every accomplishment that seemed so important in the moment.

    But they will remember the kind of man I became.

    The same is true for every one of us.

    Our greatest legacy won’t be found in what we built.

    It will be found in who we became while building it.

    That’s why I don’t want to simply collect wisdom for myself.

    I want to pass it on.

    I want my children—and the generations that come after them—to inherit something greater than success.

    I want them to inherit wisdom.

    Because wisdom doesn’t just change one life.

    It changes generations.

    And in a world that desperately needs truth, peace, humility, and hope, perhaps one of the greatest gifts we can leave behind is a life that quietly points people to Jesus.

    A Question to Consider

    If someone inherited your way of living…

    Your speech…

    Your response to conflict…

    Your priorities…

    Your faith…

    Would it become a blessing for the next generation?

    Or would they spend years trying to undo what was passed down?

    Today, ask God for wisdom.

    Not simply so your life becomes better.

    But so your legacy becomes different.

    “The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.”
    — Proverbs 15:33

    Grace and peace,

    Nathaniel Hill Jr.
    A Voice to the World

  • Do I really need church?

    Thought provoking topic huh? Many people without hesitation would quickly, boldly, and unapologetically respond to that question with a resounding  “YES”. But, I’m lead to ask why are so many of today’s youth asking this very question with a sincere heart and seeking truth? As a young person who grew up in the inner city where gang violence, drug addiction, prostitution, and police brutality were the norm, I often found myself asking the same question. When people would come into my neighborhood passing out tracts and talking to us about coming to their church my response would always be the same. If you have this God that is so good, why are you wanting us to come to your building just to hear about him?

    Looking back, I now realize where the disconnect was. The people were coming to reach us in the name of their church, rather than coming to us as the church. BIG DIFFERENCE! Many times, I still see this happening. If we’re not careful, we will do more harm than good. From the outside looking in, many young people see the church as a bunch of old people who gather together, sing songs that have no significance to their circumstance, and give their money to a man who drives the newest Cadillac around their impoverished communities.

    Truthfully, sometimes, I wonder if local church congregations even realized how out of touch they are with these kids that are craving more. As a former youth pastor, I’ve had numerous tough conversations with adults about getting on to kids about things that were not important. For example (chewing gum inside the church building, wearing a hat during service, the clothes they wore) etc. It’s very important to understand that more is caught than taught. If they are ran off behind non sense like that then we will never have the opportunity for them to catch it.

    Still the question remains. Do I really need church? Well it all depends on how you define church. The word church comes from the Greek word ekklesia which is defined as “an assembly” or “called out ones”. The root meaning of church is not that of a building, but of people. According to the Bible, the church is the body of Christ-all those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ for salvation (John 3:16; 1Corinthians 12:13). So my answer would have to be “YES” we need church. It was the church who invaded the darkness of my life, met me where I was without judgement, discipled and equipped me, helped restore my true identity, and sent me out to do for others what was done for me. All that happened within the body, and is continuing to happen for millions across the world daily.

     

  • START WITH WHY

    Many times we tend to shape our lives around what we do. Almost the first question asked when two people interact with one another is, “What is it that you do for a living?” Recently, I accepted a new position working within a nationally know ministry called “YOUNG LIFE”. What I found to be true is people are interested in what you do and how it’s done but rarely get to know why you do what you do. Ministry, for many of us whom are called to inner cities where the demand is high and the funding is low usually have a big why.

    Have you ever thought about the reason someone would willingly place themselves in a overlooked, under resourced community with the hope that things can and will change? The answer can be summed up in one word, “WHY”. Everything flows from that place and drives the what and how.

    Here’s my why. 25 Million kids wake up every day without a father in their lives, most of them are inner city kids and according to various sources, children from fatherless homes account for 63% of youth suicides, 71% of pregnant teenagers, 90% of all homeless and runaway children, 70% of juveniles in state operated institutions, 85% of all youth who exhibit behavior disorders, 80% of rapist motivated with displaced anger, 71% of all high school dropouts, 75% of all adolescents in chemical abuse centers, and 85% of all youth sitting in prison. We are called to be proactive rather than reactive. I consider myself to be an urban missionary sent to the very places that most people avoid going.

    If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, you have been called out of darkness into His marvelous light (1Peter 2:9), for the sole purpose of going back into the darkness with the light so those who have nothing but dark roads before them can be led to a bright pathway. Knowing and understanding your WHY will always produce the WHAT and HOW.

  • MEN THEY NEED YOU

    12734015_1290219021004742_8175433873669177790_n  Six weeks at a time, a good friend and I find ourselves in the company of 20-25 young boys. We always begin the boys to men classes by asking them, “what do you think makes you a man?” Recently, one answer I received has not left my mind and has increased the weight of this burden I carry. One kid blurts out, “YOU BECOME A MAN WHEN YOU HAVE A LOT OF GOONS.” Sadly, I must say for many young boys growing up in inner city communities this is the reality. Rappers and entertainers have become the educators and the loudest voice in our kid’s ears.

      There was a story a few years ago, about overcrowding of elephants at Kruger National Park in Africa. The park rangers decided it would be a good idea to move the juvenile males into another National Park, and have them settle there. Over time, they noticed something very alarming. The juvenile elephants had become very aggressive towards the rhinos in that environment and began killing them. They could not understand how the elephants could turn to this kind of behavior so quick. Thinking it was the new environment, they considered moving them back but it was just to crowded to do so. They had one more option. They moved some of the older elephants over with them. After a few weeks, something happened the juvenile males behavior changed. The rangers quickly realized the mistake they had made. “They moved all the juvenile males without sending any older males to guide them in that environment.”

    Scripture says. “Where there is no [wise, intelligent] guidance, the people fall [and go off course like a ship without a helm], but in abundance of [wise and godly] counselors there is victory.” Proverbs 11:14 AMP

    I can’t think of one friend I had growing up that had a dad around. Our male examples were men that sold drugs, used drugs, or the OG from the neighborhood gang. Statistics say that 25 million kids in America wake up everyday without a father in the home. That’s 33% of our country. Knowing that statistic and giving my time and love only to my biological kids will be selfish and unbiblical.

    So this is what I say to MEN. Specifically, Christian men “THEY NEED YOU.” If godly men don’t set another trend the cycle will continue.

    Consider this a challenge. Find a young man, get to know his story and get involved in his life. These are our future leaders and the people closest to him shape a leader’s future. A leader’s personal network is his emotional fuel: his models, heroes, mentors, inner circle, and accountability partners.

    As iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens [and influences] another [through discussion]. Proverbs 27:17

  • Make It Count

    Make It Count

    It was a story once told about two best friends who were inseparable. They grew up in the same living conditions, went to the same schools growing up and experienced all of life’s trails together. They were like Siamese twins. If you were to see one, you could guarantee to see the other. As they got older things began the change. One friend went on to live a life of crime and eventually received a life sentence in prison while the other friend became successful. One day they were asked to take part in a documentary. A film company wanted to do a story on kids who were now adults that were raised in this particular part of town.

    They began by interviewing the friend who was serving a life sentence in prison. The interviewer asked, “How did you end up in the position you are in now and what was the motivating factor behind you pursuing a life of crime?” He answered. “I grew up with both of my parents on drugs, I was raised on food stamps, the only men I had to look up to in my neighborhood was gangbangers and drug dealers. What did you expect me to become?”

    The interviewer asked the other friend,“How did you beat the odds to become successful? What was the motivating factor behind you pursuing the life you now live?” He answered. “I grew up with both of my parents on drugs, I was raised on food stamps, the only men I had to look up to in my neighborhood was gangbangers and drug dealers. What did you expect me to become?”

    The interviewer noticed the two friends had the same exact motivation for why their lives turned out the way it did. The interviewer also noticed the difference in their perspectives. One used it as an excuse while the other used it as a reason.

    Scripture says, “In every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” 1Thessalonians 5:10 AMP.

    Life is 10% of what happens to you and 90% of how you respond to it. We are not exempt from trails, trouble, or tragedy in this lifetime but it’s those very things that help shape our views on life.

    Here’s an encouraging word to my readers: “Make it count”.

    Generational curses, trails, heartaches, disappointments, or struggles, it all has a purpose. Just like diamonds have to go through an extenuating process to become the beauty we see displayed in jewelry stores around the globe, we too must go through a process before being displayed to the world as a rare diamond. Choose to make today better than yesterday and repeat the process from this day forward. Excuses are only good for those who make them; reasons create a “why” which is good for everyone because it’s never self-serving.