Whenever a sound wave is reflected, we hear an echo. I dreaded this fact as my shoes clacked across the floor of my local library. At any moment, I expected someone to put their finger across their lips and shush me.

To my surprise, there were no shushers. But I noticed polite smiles from the librarians as I made my exit and took my noisy shoes with me.

And yet, although the direction of the sound changes, an echo sounds the same as the original sound.

I thought about this as it relates to our faith. Lent puts us in remembrance of Christ’s sacrificial death for our sin. Easter (or Resurrection) Sunday prepares us to celebrate His ultimate and eternal victory. The season gives an echo of our hope.

As Jesus prepared His disciples for what was ahead, He also made a promise. “He said to them, ‘The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies. He will be killed, but three days later he will rise from the dead.’ They didn’t understand what he was saying, however, and they were afraid to ask him what he meant” (Mark 9:31 and 32 NLT).

There’s a lot to see in this verse. Christ painstakingly describes His own death, knowing the grief it will cause for those who love Him. Then He assures them of His resurrection, knowing the salvation it will bring to all the world. (John 1:28-30)

The disciples saw Jesus’ miracles and heard His teachings. For three years, they did life with the Messiah. Yet, “They didn’t understand what he was saying, however, and they were afraid to ask him what he meant.”

Now I see me in this verse. Maybe you see you too. Three days is a long time, if we are in sorrow or confusion. If “three days” was all the disciples heard, no wonder they were afraid.

Fear easily creeps in, if we hear something other than the sound of Christ’s reassurance. In declaring His resurrection, He wanted us all to know, because of Him the worst is not the end.

What feels alarming to us is also an opportunity for God to settle an issue within us.

“I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces” (Psalm 34:4 and 5 NLT).

In our distress, we may look for a solution in any way that catches our attention. But only way offers the best solution. When we look to the Lord for help, there is no shadow of shame. There is no need for regret.

Is there an issue He wants to settle in our hearts today? Like my shoes in the library, anxiety is the clacking of my fears. Yet, God’s grace and mercy speaks volumes of His faithfulness and love. May hope be the echo of our faith.

PRAY: Dear God, As I look at the world or my current circumstances, many questions may emerge. But even in what I don’t understand, I can still choose to trust You. Lord, give me clarity where clarity is needed. As I look to you for help, settle any issue within me that keeps me from radiating with Your joy. In Jesus’ name, amen.

JOY TO THE SOUL: “I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces” (Psalm 34:4 and 5 NLT).