Sacred Echos

A friend and co-worker was telling me about a book called Sacred Echos. I know nothing about it, but apparently the author talks about how God sometimes uses various moments, sermons, people, etc in sometimes seemingly serendipitous moments, to kind of "make His point" in our lives.

Last week, along with many of the pastors in our district, Stephen went to the funeral for our former District Superintendent that passed away. The part of the message that stuck with him the most was John 21:15-19 where Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves Him, and then proceeds to basically tell him that he is going to go places he doesn't want to, and basically have no control - and the next verse after that says this is a prediction of how Peter is going to die...but the preacher at the funeral said he thinks it was more than that...it was saying that Peter needed to surrender - to be willing to follow. And that is how verse 19 ends...with Jesus saying to Peter, "Follow Me!" (and yes, with an exclamation point!!).

I am currently doing a topical study in the Bible, and my first "sacred echo" was the very next morning. The next topic in my study was "disciple" and wouldn't you know, one of the sections of the Bible I read was exactly John 21:15-19. I told Stephen that I had no idea what God was trying to tell me, or if I am even ready to listen (just being honest here), but that my heart was soft softer.

On Sunday Stephen gave a great sermon, based mainly on John 14:6, which says "...I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." And then came my next "sacred echo". He talked about the many things - sometimes great things! - we have in our lives: our plans/future, our family, a ministry in the church or community, our jobs. Stephen asked the church if Jesus was THE way in those circumstances/areas of our lives. Or if Jesus was just "A" way or "IN" the way of all our plans and good intentions.

Am I sensitive to His leading in my life, or am I just plodding along in all my "good things" and not listening to His directing in my life?

For Peter, it took Jesus asking him 3 times if he loved Him and telling Peter that he basically had to surrender his plans and "Follow Me!" For Zacharias it took not being able to speak until his son John was born (Luke 1:5-20). For Jonah it took being swallowed by a big fish (Jonah 1 & 2). For others it was simple obedience, like Abraham willing to sacrifice his own son without hesitation (Genesis 22:1-18).

He wanted these people to follow Him, even when sometimes the directions He was giving made no sense, sounded ridiculous, or even seemed irrational! What makes us think He wants anything less from us?

What is it going to take for me to stop and listen??? What is it going to take for me to follow the plan He has for my life (even if I still have no idea what that is!)? Do I think of Jesus as "A" way in which I can choose among many other good things in my life? Or is He possibly "IN" the way of my desires and plans? I need to surrender all these things to Him!

And I have no idea what all these "sacred echos" are really leading me to...I have no idea what any of this means...but with all these moments I think I am starting to take note and question my own (sometimes good) intentions and just be willing to say "OK" when Jesus says "Follow Me!"

In 1896 Judson Van DeVenter wrote a song that has been on my heart for a few days now. At the time, he was undecided about whether to continue his career in art or go into full-time evangelistic work. After writing this song, he decided to become an evangelist and was notably successful in that field. (Click here for reference)

All to Jesus I surrender;
All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him,
In His presence daily live.

Chorus: I surrender all, I surrender all;
All to Thee, my blessed Savior, I surrender all.

All to Jesus I surrender;
Humbly at His feet I bow,
Worldly pleasures all forsaken;
Take me, Jesus, take me now.

All to Jesus I surrender;
Make me, Savior, wholly Thine;
Let me feel the Holy Spirit,
Truly know that Thou art mine.

All to Jesus I surrender;
Lord, I give myself to Thee;
Fill me with Thy love and power;
Let Thy blessing fall on me.
I surrender all, I surrender all;
All to Thee, my blessed Savior, I surrender all.