"The Echo Within" by Robert Benson

I had the privilege to review this book and participate in a "blog tour" this week.
When I first read the description of this book, I thought of my friend Adam who has been struggling with what God is calling him to do. I gave him my extra copy and I hope when he reads it, he is able to find some words of wisdom.
For me, I know that at times in my life I have struggled with whether it's my voice or God's voice that I'm hearing. I think the author explains this in a great way.

"There is within each of us an echo of the Voice of the One Who whispered us into being. We must listen for that echo and to that echo; we must listen fiercely and faithfully and fearlessly. Within the echo of the Voice that spoke us into being is the sound of our own true voice."

"The fact that the Voice that calls to us often sounds like our own is not something to be mistrusted or feared. It is a sign of how close God is to us."

Throughout the book it uses examples in the author's life where he had to wait,listen,know,live,choose,be and even dream to figure out his path in becoming a writer.
No one can tell you if you are going the right path...only you will know that. There are signs that make it a little less murky and he shares those in each of the chapters.
The author describes himself as an introvert and I think I connected to his thoughts because of that. I have a difficult time with change and I like my "ducks in a row".
The following quote describes what I feel to a T:

" Sometimes what we want is to be allowed to hunker down in the life we are living, or are hoping to live, or are constructing for ourselves. Without any upset, without any change in plans, without any of our ducks being disturbed.
But sometimes when we say yes to some new thing that seems to be calling to us from the echo within, then we may as well be prepared to head for God knows where after that. And to head there with God knows who as well."

This is a small book which can be easily read in a day but it is something that I think you will refer back to and chew on for longer.


Robert Benson has written more than a dozen books about the discovery of the sacred in the midst of our ordinary lives, including Between the Dreaming and the Coming True, Home By Another Way, and Digging In. His work has been critically acclaimed in a wide range of publications from The New York Times and USA Today to Spirituality & Health and The Benedictine Review. He is an alumnus of The Upper Room’s Academy for Spiritual Formation and was recently named a Living Spiritual Teacher by SpiritualityandPractice.com. He lives in Nashville, Tennessee.

To purchase this book you can go here: