RIPPLES!

‘Ripples’ photo by Herbert Goetsch on Unsplash.

Ripples, those beautiful, concentric circles you see on the surface of the water.  It only takes one small rock to make them and out the ripples go seemingly forever!  They are every child’s delight!

We tend to think that our actions have no effect on anyone, but don’t the ripples on water tell us differently?  That our actions, large or small do in fact, like a small stone thrown in the water, actually have a much further effect than we realize?                                  

Look at the photo above!  Its beauty and order, both attributes of God, leave us with a message that it is His intent to encourage us to do positive things in this world, beautiful things that will have a positive ripple effect on all of us. 

As the scripture encourages us in Philippians 4:8 ‘Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 

I’m thinking about Jesus.  Think about the positive, beautiful ‘ripple effect’ that He had on this world.  One man, a Jewish carpenter, a humble beginning, a tiny rock thrown into the water, the ripple effect being 2 billion Christians world-wide who profess to be followers of Jesus.  The History Collection.

You can find lists on the internet of even children beginning at the age of 3 who have changed the world with their little rock.  I’m thinking about Malala Yousafzai from Pakistan who at the age of 17, won the Nobel Peace Prize for her courageous and dangerous fight for girl’s right to education.  Or Jahkil Jackson from the South Side of Chicago at age 8, established ‘Project I Am’ to give out ‘Blessing Bags’ to the homeless.  His group has helped over 35,000 people in need around the world.  Or 12-year-old Trevor McKinney who launched ‘pay it forward’ in answer to an assignment to think up an idea to change the world for the better.  His plan for ‘paying forward’ favors, not only affected the life of his struggling single-mother, but sets in motion an unprecedented wave of human kindness which blossomed into a profound national phenomenon.

Talk about a ‘ripple effect’, the scripture says if you ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, you will be saved—you and your household.’  Acts 16:31. 

I was saved in 1971, then my mother, my father, my brother and his wife, my niece and her family, my nephew, my wife’s brother and sister, all of my children and grandchildren (my household), and many of my students and young people from a youth group where I served as Youth Pastor. The ripple effect of my one decision to accept Jesus, goes on and on and on. 

Be encouraged by this powerful scripture.  If you have been saved, have a prayerful heart for the rest of your family (Your household) and watch the ‘ripple effect’! It is absolutely amazing to witness the Lord saving your family and I must say, very entertaining!  

GOD IS ABLE!