Foreword

It is my great privilege indeed to offer this foreword for Echoes of Eternity: Dr. Potana's Spiritual Awakening, perhaps the most precious narrative entirely as much testimony to divine grace as it qualifies the exploration of what turns out to be the effect of faith in the sovereign God of the Bible. The author, Dr. Venkat Potana’s story is the compelling tale of resilience, spiritual awakening, and unyielding pursuit of truth. And within these pages, what really stands out from a recapping of events in life is the treatise on theodicy with relation to tradition, culture, and personal faith. Such a move away from his traditionally deep-seated Hindu heritage toward an intimate experience with the living Christ couldn't possibly be simple or without struggle; however, Dr. Potana's testimony powerfully illustrates that divine grace knows no bounds and transcends all barriers call to establish a deeper relationship with the Almighty.

Profoundly shaped by this dual heritage, the very Vaishnavite and Shaivite traditions which his ancestors bequeathed him, cut against the liberating light of grace in the Christ. Tension is probably not evitable from these transitions: rather, it is just a frank appraisal of the power of faith and the authenticity of that life lived in the full call of God. These chapters speak loudest of perseverance in the midst of trials, the faithfulness of God during such time, and also the sweet surrender to a divine plan that transcends human understanding.

One thing I find really heart moving is how much this author is in tune with culture and family in which he is setting his journey. He does not deny his past but builds on it as the platform for his spiritual transformation. Indeed, a mirror for all readers on how faith can honor culture while going beyond the shadow it puts up.

This does not simply function as an autobiography; it is a theological narrative that invites readers to enter into reflection on their own spiritual journeys, inviting them to see the hand of God in the seemingly ordinary and yet extraordinary moments of life. Dr. Potana's life is a witness to the truth that the faith in Christ is not a getaway from reality but rather an engagement with it, however, in a deeper and more authentic manner.

As you absorb the essence of these pages, may you settle down to listen for the echoes of eternity within your own story. May it remind you of the faithfulness of God, the power of grace, and the boundless possibilities of a life lived in response to divine calling.

With great anticipation, I entrust this book to readers with the assurance that its message would inspire as well as transform lives just as the author has been transformed by the truth he promulgates.

Rev. Dr. Richard Howell

Principal, Caleb Institute, New Delhi

December 2024.