One of the things I love about summer are the memories of my childhood that seem to flood my mind more regularly than other times of the year. I think it’s because I loved our family vacations and camping in a tent under pine trees; something I just don’t have the time to do any more. The smell of a campfire mingled with the pine needles crushed into the dirt; the sight of more stars than imaginable, powerful waterfalls and the rainbows they proudly flash; the feel of the crisp morning air as I crawl out of the tent every morning and the dirt between my toes and behind my ears at the end of a carefree day spent hiking and exploring.
Our favorite camping location was Yosemite National Park in California. We were able to explore the meadows, float in the streams and hike the water falls. The scenery was, and still is, absolutely spectacular. If you haven’t been, you really need to add it to your list of places to visit!
I can remember skipping rocks across the clear, but usually freezing, streams and lakes. Sometimes I got a couple of skips, but more often than not the stone simply plopped into the water making a ring that got bigger and bigger as the effect of the little stone kept moving the water long after sinking to the sandy bottom.
There are a lot of analogies that use the ripple effect to talk about how a small action can keep going and going. Most often it’s thought of in a positive way. The small good that we do today can have a lasting effect beyond our normal sphere of influence. I love that, and I tend to live my life with that very thought in mind. I know how short our time on earth is, so focusing on the good I can do that will impact others after I’m gone is an important part of my Christian walk.
I read an article the other day that reminded me of that little ripple effect but in a much different way. Maybe it’s because I’m such an optimist, but I’ve never really spent much time thinking about the opposite type of effect our actions can have. Our sin and poor choices also have a ripple effect, but they are not for good.
I read about a Christian author that has written best selling books about the right way to live, encouraging thousands if not millions of people to walk in God’s light and live a life worthy of God’s calling. This particular author recently went on social media to let the world know that he no longer considers himself a Christian. He has walked away from his faith totally and completely.
I was shocked and sick to my stomach. I can’t imagine how God must feel, other than I’m sure it breaks His heart. It’s one thing to not fully understand the reality of God’s grace, but to know it and experience it and then walk away just boggles my mind! I can’t imagine my life without my Heavenly Father! The grace and forgiveness He provides for me every single day is the only thing that gets me through really tough times. And His presence during the ordinary day in and day out gives me peace and keeps me company.
I got to thinking about the ripple effect. What impact will this person denouncing his faith have on those who originally found Jesus through his writing? There are always consequences when we choose sin over salvation. Usually the consequences impact the person who made the choice and a maybe a few folks in their close inner circle. But having such a huge, public platform is going to have an even greater impact. The consequences of choices and the ripple effect that follows those choices can lead souls to hell just like they can lead people to heaven. The difference is in the choice itself.
Jesus chose to set aside his heavenly throne so he could take on our sins when he died on the cross. The ripple effect of that choice is joyous! Heaven will be filled with those saved by his blood! Eve chose to disobey God and eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The ripple effect of that choice is the entrance of sin into God’s perfect world.
I am SO not perfect. It feels like I make almost as many bad choices as I do good ones, sometimes. But I try my best to stay conscious of my bad choices and get to my knees to ask forgiveness as quickly as possible. I pray every day that God will find some way to use me for His purposes.
I’m praying for this particular author. I’m praying that he will realize that even though he has chosen to walk away, God is still there. I’m praying that, even if he decides to continue down this crooked path he’s chosen, God will use it for His glory. Who knows? There may be someone who has been sitting on the fence and hearing about a believer walking away from the God of love causes them to ask more questions, to seek out God for themselves.
And I’m praying for those of us who have given our hearts and dedicated our lives to Jesus. I’m praying that we will realize that the world is watching. The ripple effect of our choices and decisions can either be a cause for good or a cause for sorrow.
Lord, may the ripple effect of my day to day life be a cause for good! May those around me see Jesus and feel a genuine love that can only come from You.
