Morning Devotional
December  5, 2005
"Echoes and Reality"         
    by Don Emmitte

"Don't be misled. Remember that you can't ignore God and get away with it. You will always reap what you sow! Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful desires will harvest the consequences of decay and death. But those who live to please the Spirit [of God] will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit" (Galatians 6:7-8, NLT).

 

This week Mary and I went out to get a Christmas tree. We went looking for an artificial pre-lit tree, but discovered that the price for one was a bit much for us. It has been a very long time since we have purchased a tree. The one we had in our home in Texas didn’t make the trip! It was pretty old and I suppose it is for the best that it was “retired.” Since we didn’t find an artificial tree like we wanted for a price we were willing to pay, we just happened to notice that the cost of a real tree was very reasonable. So, for the first time in many years we have a real Christmas tree! It turned out very pretty standing over seven feet tall!

 

As I looked at our handiwork, I was reminded of a great story. Perhaps you have read about the father and son who were hiking in the mountains. You may have had the same experience as they had. As they were walking along the son falls, hurts himself, and screams: "AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!"

To his surprise, he hears the voice repeating, somewhere in the mountain: “AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!" Curious, he yells: "Who are you?" He receives the answer: "Who are you?" Angered at the response, he screams: "Coward!" He receives the answer: "Coward!" He looks to his father and asks: "What's going on?" The father smiles and says: "My son, pay attention." And then he screams to the mountain: "I admire you!" The voice answers: "I admire you!" Again the man screams: "You are a champion!" The voice answers: "You are a champion!" The boy is surprised, but does not understand.

 

Then the father explains: "People call this ECHO, but really this is LIFE. It gives you back everything you say or do. How true this is. Our life is simply a reflection of our actions. If you want more love in the world, create more love in your heart. If you want more competence in your team, improve your competence. This relationship applies to everything, in all aspects of life; Life will give you back everything you have given to it. Your life is not a coincidence. It is a reflection of you.

 

There is a wonderful truth in the genuine honesty that comes from within us. Wouldn’t it be great if everyone we met could see and experience only the best life has to offer? If we will “voice” the best to others, we may expect it in return. Try it and you’ll see the truth of it.