The Ripple Effect

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2 (NKJV)

In our history studies at school, we often say that nothing happens in a vacuum. One thing leads to another. Cause and Effect. Like a ripple in a pond, each action, each event, ripples out and causes another ripple, another action or event.

If you tell people in Tennessee that snow is coming, they will all rush out and buy up all the milk and bread in town. If you tell people there’s a gas shortage, they’ll do the same with gas. If candidate A is elected, events will progress in a certain direction, but if candidate B wins, things will go a different direction. We can understand how a big event like an election has a ripple effect. But individual human actions are also very influential; we just can’t always see how quite as easily.

The movie It’s a Wonderful Life shows the influence one decent man’s life has on all the lives around him. You think you’re not important? You think you’re not doing any harm when you ignore a command of God? You think it doesn’t accomplish anything when you DO obey? George Bailey’s honorable daily living changed history, fictional though it was, for the better.

Fore a real-life example, think about Moses at the burning bush. He didn’t want to do what God was asking him to do. He begged God to find someone else, anyone else (Exodus 4:13). Imagine how different things would have been if he had not, in the end, obeyed God. But he did obey, even though it was difficult, and look what was accomplished! Ten plagues and one miraculous crossing of the Red Sea later, an entire nation was freed from Egyptian bondage forever!

We may not always see the effect our choices have on others, but they are there, rippling out, and causing other things to happen.. or not happen. Good things. Bad things. God can and does use them all for His purposes. But when He looks at me and you, does He see a positive ripple effect that He can use for good? Or a negative effect that will require some providential damage-control, if you will?

When we don’t conform our lives to the teachings of Jesus Christ, we can be sure we’re creating a negative ripple effect. Our disobedience may give others a sense of freedom to disobey. Our unkindness may cause someone else to be unkind in turn. Our unwillingness to help someone may mean they have to wait longer for an answer to their prayers. Did you ever think that you could be God’s plan for answering someone’s prayer?

Our actions, our words, even our attitudes have a ripple effect. One way or the other they are producing some kind of reaction from others, some kind of influence on people and on the events that follow.

So, the question first must be, what are we going to allow to influence us? If we check the news, will it be for a matter of minutes, or hours? How much time will we spend scrolling through our facebook feed, talking face to face with other human beings, worshiping our Creator, etc.?

Romans 12:2 indicates that our behavior is affected by our thinking. If we fill our minds with the things of this world, our behavior will conform to the world. Cause and effect. But behavior can be transformed when we change our thinking. If we fill our minds with the things of God, that is what will ripple out from us to others.

Moses had a choice and it wasn’t an easy one. But read Psalm 105:23-45 and see what kind of ripple effect resulted from his obedience to God. Through Moses, God “brought out His people with joy, His chosen ones with gladness,” (v.43). One thing leads to another. Cause and effect. Even little things can change the course of history. Just think what God might do through us if we too will hear and obey!

Don’t be like the people of this world, but let God change the way you think. Then you will know how to do everything that is good and pleasing to him. Romans 12:2 (CEV)

Dear God in heaven, I am humbled and amazed by Your perfect knowledge and wisdom. I know You can work all things together for good and that no sin of mine nor any scheme of the devil will thwart Your plans. But God please work in my heart and in my life so that I am working with You and never against You. Change my thinking where change is needed, and forgive me for times I have not aligned my life with Your ways. Use me in Your service, Lord. In Jesus’s name, Amen.

by Christie Cole Atkins