Ripple Effect

Ripple Effect

Acts of obedience are like ripples.

I saw a still pond and then a single drop of water hit it and caused a ripple. Then that rippled interacted with another and another. Watching the complex interactions was both thrilling and a little nauseating.

Then the Lord helped me to understand it was even more complex than what I could currently see. The ripples affected both near and far into the future.

“Each act of obedience, no matter how small, has the potential to work with another obedience, yours or someone else’s, creating a lasting impact in the Kingdom of God. It is imperative to not treat even the smallest act of obedience with contempt. The interactions between one another is where the power, strength, and beauty comes from. I have my eye on not only each individual one, but also their almost endless possibilities of interactions. So that when someone falls short of the fullness of a command or worse yet ignores one. I move accordingly.”

I’m still not sure what it all means and as I floundered about in my mind trying to understand, He threw in another curveball.

“What is visible is beautiful and precious, but what is unseen is more than delightful. It brings Me joy when My children obey. Not because I’m a demanding Father, but because each act of obedience brings about the fullness of the Kingdom. And there is no greater place for fulfillment, joy, and wholeness than in the will of Me.”

***

Ripple effect

I stretched my brain and tried to think about each ripple affecting another and contemplated what would happen and all the factors that would have to be managed to keep the world moving toward His perfect plan when we as humans keep dropping the ball.

And yet God. God can manage it all and we can rest in that. We don't have to comprehend all the ripple effect that happens.

There is one thing I know for sure. I don’t want to be found in disobedience. I didn’t get the feeling He was mad or even disappointed, but more like a sense of loss. A sense of sadness for what we would miss out on by missing the mark of His will. Profound sadness. Even as I write this, I tear up.

I encourage you that each act of obedience that God gives you to perform is profoundly important.

A simple act of kindness or service is profoundly sweet to Him.

If He prompts you to smile at that hard to love person. Do.

If He prompts you to pick up and move across the world for a mission trip or lifetime adventure. Do.

What you do matters. Even if no one else sees it, your Savior does.

“As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, (1 Peter: 1:14, ESV)."

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. (John 15:9, ESV)”

If we stay in His love, then obedience becomes a more natural progression. His love keeps our hearts steady.

Prayer for you and me: Lord, help. Even as we want to obey, we fall short. Help us increase and deepen our yes to receive all You have for our and our children and children’s children. We desire to be where you want us to be doing what we were designed to do. To be in a close and loving relationship with You. Thank You Jesus. Amen.