EchoLoud

I wrote this poem for my college Bible study, EchoLoud. I read it a few months ago for the whole group (around 50 college students) on the first night we moved into our new room. I felt very inspired when our group leader asked me to write it for the occasion. He named my poet laureat of the group, which pleased me to no end. This is what I came up with for our anthem:

Echo Loud

Seemingly insignificant whispers of His grace collect, appearing to be forgotten.

Collectively, they create a symphony; a many-layered, richly woven tapestry

Of what God intends our lives to be. Every word is orchestrated, divinely coordinated,

By the One who has called Himself the Beginning and the End, Redeemer, and ever-present Friend.

We are called to declare the mighty works of His hands, we must make the world aware

That nothing has escaped the grasp of His outstretched palm. Even the smallest act of kindess,

The softest whisper of encouragement can overpower the silence

That seems to swallow the world whole. The smallest voice, magnified in God’s magnificent power

Overpowers, conquers, devours cultural influence;

The conscious incongruence between the people we present at church

And who we are when we leave behind the Sunday morning steeples and become the Church.

More than a voice, more than words, our actions Echo Loud:

Will we transform the lives of the lost and broken, or will we watch as the world’s wounds

Are left untended, open to the lies of the enemy?

Any He has called his own, as God’s beloved children, we are the hands, the feet – will we echo loud

And broadcast his heart’s beat for all to hear? Will we turn away, consumed by fear?

Or will we raise our voices in praise, declaring to the world we will not be ashamed

To Echo, loudly, to display our salvation proudly and to change the world

One godly voice, one silent prayer, one righteous choice at a time.

Now is the time for us to gather as believers, lifting our voices in a refrain of truth,

Knowing, trusting, that our God always forgives, never forgets – promises joy and erases regrets.

Starting today, we will declare, we will make the world aware that no voice is too small

To Echo, Loud.