Perhaps this reminds you of what we commonly call “the golden rule,” which can be found a few verses earlier in Luke.

Do to others as you would have them do to you. -Luke 6:31

But I think it’s interesting to think about this idea from a slightly different perspective. Instead of operating from a place of abundance and overflow, you can stop and think about what seems to be missing in your life right now. And whatever you determine that to be, find a way to give it out to others! Then see how God will creatively and generously return that back to you. 

For example… There are days when I show up to school feeling grumpy and cranky. When I let my crankiness control me, then I act grumpily toward my students. So how do they act back to me? Grumpy and cranky, of course! But on days like that, I could stop and think… What am I lacking today? What do I need? If I need joy, then I can challenge myself to show and extend joy to my students. If I do that, chances are high that they’ll send some joy back in my direction. By giving it out—even if I’m not necessarily feeling it—I’ll then receive the joy I need. 

Here’s another scenario… 

This idea of giving out the very thing you actually need reminds me of a boat ride I took on the Seine River during a trip to Paris recently. A few friends and I spent some days traveling through Germany and France to explore the Christmas markets, and we had the best time. (Side note: If European Christmas markets aren’t currently on your bucket list, put them there NOW!) In Paris, we explored some of the famous sites in addition to checking out markets, and one of our activities was taking a river cruise down the Seine to see Paris’ famous landmarks from the water. On our boat was a large contingent of British teenagers, and they had an absolute blast on the cruise. They stood up on the open air top part of the boat, and they smiled and waved frantically at all the passersby. And what they gave out, they absolutely got back. 

I was sitting on the lower level watching the buildings and people pass by, and I had the best time watching people smile and wave back to these teenagers. When they weren’t just waving casually, they were looking at the kids with huge smiles and waving big, emphatic waves as our boat passed them by. Casual walkers on the side of the river smiled and waved, but also, runners, uniformed/armed military folks, tourists and locals alike. For the entire hour, as we cruised along the river, people looked attentively at the top of our boat and broke out into huge grins and energetic waves.

As I sat down below mostly watching the responses, I thought about the biblical principle of receiving back what you give out. It was certainly true on that boat ride! The teenagers were giving out their most enthusiastic smiles and waves, and they were getting people of all ages, moods, positions and temperaments to smile and wave back with excitement. It was truly amazing, entertaining, hilarious and unbelievable at the same time! I literally could not tear my eyes away. Person after person walking (or running) along the edge of the Seine paused their conversations and turned their bodies toward our boat to smile and wave back to the beautifully ornery teens on the top of our boat.

So what do you need today? 

• Do you need joy? Give joy away.
• Do you need some peace? Calm yourself so you can give out peace to those around you.
• Do you need to feel love? Show love to someone you know who needs it.
• Do you need encouragement? Give encouragement away.
• Do you need forgiveness? Be the first one to forgive the other person and start the reconciliation process.
• Do you need strength? Show strength to a loved one who could use a boost.
• Do you need help? Find a way to help someone else. 

You get the idea. You can be the one to initiate! You can get things moving. You can give out the very thing you desperately need yourself, and who knows… Maybe what comes back to you will be even better than you imagined. 

Life is an echo. 

What you send out, comes back. 

What you sow, you reap. 

What you give, you get. …

So remember, life is an echo.

-Unknown