THE ECHO EFFECT

Obadiah 1:15 “For the day of the Lord draws near on all the nations. As you have done, it will be done on you.”

Scientists captured a group of bats to conduct some experiments with them. The scientists stretched wire across a long room and sent the bats through it. They never struck a wire. The scientists blindfolded the bats, thinking that maybe they were able to see in the dark. When the blindfolded bats were sent through the room, they again flew with perfect precision, never touching the sides of the room or the wires stretched across them. When the mouths and ears of the bats were taped shut, different results were seen. With their eyes wide open, the bats crashed into both wires and wall.

Further investigation revealed that the bats sounded a high, shrill note when they started to fly. The sound created vibrations which echoed back from any object in their path. The highly sensitive ears of the bat were receivers for the echoed sound. What they sent out came back to them. The echo principle became the tool for the flight of the bats.

The Bible repeatedly declares that the echo principle is a basic principle of life. The echo principle is passionately proclaimed by one of the most unusual of the Old Testament prophets, Obadiah. A central theme in Obadiah’s prophecy is what someone has called “poetic justice.”

The echo principle applies to our relationship with God. The echo principle also applies to our relationship with others. The echo principle is also true of our relationship to life in general. The question for all of us should be -- What are you trying to get out of life? What is the most important thing to you? Where are your priorities?

Each day we are building our lives. We can cut corners and build with cheap material. Or we can build with only the finest, most permanent kind of material. In the end, we must live in the house we have built. As we live our lives, as we make our choices, in that manner will life be fulfilled for us.

This biblical truth should encourage us as well as set the pace for our future days. The things we do, the attitude we do them in, and our motivation for doing them serve as seed in our life. We can only reap fruit born of the seed we plant. Thus the words of the prophet, “as you have done, it will be done on you”.
We ought to be sure to avoid thoughtless words and acts towards others. Our motivation must be to honor God with clean hands and a pure heart. We can only receive the best out of life, if we put our best into a life for God. In other words “garbage in – garbage out”.

However, joy should fill the hearts of those who have been faithful. For them that have loved God will their whole heart, who have loved others without prejudice, and have lived life for God and with purpose; spiritual blessings are prepared. And at the word of the Lord – we will be rewarded in the same manner.