Out in the Rocky Mountains, just outside the town of Jasper, Alberta, Pyramid Mountain looms. Named because of its shape, it is a beautiful place to visit. For over a hundred years, it has been a popular place to go camping around the lake directly in front of it. A boardwalk was constructed out to a small island where you can get close to the mountain. From this spot you can yell “Hello!” and your voice will echo back several times. People often shout silly things and silly things come back. I heard someone yell, “I love you!” Well, that’s one way to hear love in return.
You get back what you give. Isn’t that one of the fundamental laws of living? Eventually, you receive the same kind of treatment from people that you give to them. If you treat people kindly, they will be kind to you. If you ignore people, they will ignore you. Even a smile is met with a smile. It all comes back to you. Sometimes a little more than you expected.
Quoting Psalm 34:12-15, Peter solemnly said, “Let him who means to love life and see good days refrain his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking guile. And let him turn away from evil and do good; let Him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and His ears attend to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” (1 Peter 3:10-12) If we pursue godly ways and decent behaviour, God will bless you and life will go much better. You will experience things that are not unlike the good things you have done for others.
Jesus taught, “And just as you want people to treat you, treat them in the same way.” He went on to explain, “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. And do not judge and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned. Give and it will be given to you…For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.” (Luke 6:31-38) Jesus knew about echoes because he grew up in the hills around Nazareth.
Do you want friends? Be a friend. Want some mail? Write some letters! Do you want people to care about you? Care for them. Do you want a better marriage? Invest time, love, consideration, kindness, and a sense of humour, and you will discover some of the same great things coming back to you from your mate. The good things you invest turn around and head right back to you. Do you want a kinder, more forgiving and understanding congregation? You know what to do.
It’s like a mountain echo. You’ll be delighted with what you hear.
– Tim Johnson