An echo is a sound caused by the reflection of sound waves from a surface back to the listener. Hard, smooth surface are particularly good at reflecitng sound, with empty rooms producing lots of echoes. Echoes can tell us the location of something at times.
The hymnwriter Fanny Crosby, in her hymn ‘Blessed Assurance’, writes about ‘angels descending bring from above/ Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.’ I’ve always loved this lyric, since it reminds me of God’s mercy and love, but what strikes me especially is how she talks about ‘echoes’ and ‘whispers.’
Psalm 29 talks about the Lord’s thundering voice, and there are indeed times when God speaks in this way (see Heb 12:26). But there are also times when our ears have to strain to hear His whispers (think of Elijah, who heard the Lord not in the wind, earthquake or fire but in a gentle whisper, 1 Kings 19:11-13). Sometimes all we may hear are whispers and echoes. An echo is generally quieter than the original sound, but can still nonetheless be evidence of speech.
To hear God’s echoes of mercy and whispers of love – whether these are sent through angels or other media – requires listening ears and a still heart. We have to take time out from the ‘hustle bustle’ or everyday life. We have to practise active listening, drowning out the noise all around us, stilling not only the external noise but the frantic mutterings of our own minds. ‘I need to stop so I can hear You speak,’ as Jeremy Camp sings (‘Slow Down Time’)
Today, if we pause long enough to listen well, there will indeed be echoes of mercy and whispers of love to be heard. God is always speaking to us. Maybe we just need to stop and listen harder.