Ripple Effect
by Nate Benard, CMDA Atlanta Area Director
A ripple effect occurs when an initial disturbance to a system propagates outward to disturb an increasingly larger portion of the system. We are all familiar with an example of this from throwing a rock into a body of water. Every time we hear fireworks, we experience the ripple of sound waves. The duration of the ripple is dependent upon the magnitude of the disturbance, the frequency of the disturbance, and the viscosity of the medium that was disturbed (i.e., water vs honey).
Ripple effects can be seen in physical states such as liquids, solids, and gases; as well as in every aspect of life. There are examples of ripple effects in sociology and politics, like when a police officer inadvertently kills an innocent person. Ripples run through social media and the political arenas. We are seeing some ripple effects in economics currently when inflation rises, when there are supply chain issues, and when there are not enough goods produced due to people not working, etc.
God intended for each of us to cause a ripple effect in this world.
Look at these scriptures from Matthew 5.
You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven (14-16)
In John 5:9 Jesus said, “While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” As followers of Jesus and filled with the Holy Spirit, we should shine the glory of God every day of our lives. Putting that light under a basket would prohibit that.
Similarly, we are to make ripples in this world, as a pebble dropped in water. If we sit still in isolation, we will have no impact on others – we will not make any ripples. The more we are equipped as followers of Christ, the greater the ripples we will produce. One might say,
He who knows the Bible the best ripples the most.
God intends for us to impact the lives of others to glorify Him. He gives a stern warning about influencing others differently in Matthew 18:6.
But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.
There have been some amazing Christian leaders who entered the water with a cannonball and flailed incessantly producing ripples of tremendous magnitude and duration – men like Jonathan Edwards, Martin Luther, Martin Luther King, Jr., St. Augustine, Billy Graham, John Calvin, etc. Another man of many ripples is Deitrich Bonhoeffer. Bonhoeffer was a strong proponent of discipleship, obedience to Christ. In fact, he said, “Christianity without discipleship is Christianity without Christ.” Being an obedient disciple of Christ naturally progresses into helping others to be disciples of Christ. This causes the ripples to continue. God has placed us all in positions of influence whether with our friends, our children, our co-workers, our neighbors, etc. I have to believe He did this for us to impact their lives for the Kingdom for His glory.
Before leaving Earth as a man, Jesus left the spread of Christianity up to 11 of His disciples. The last thing He said to them was recorded in Matthew 28:19-20.
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you…(English Standard Version)
These 11 scattered across the known world making ripples everywhere they went, spreading the Gospel, and teaching others to do the same.
If you are a follower of Christ, then you are His disciple and you are called to do what is commanded in Matthew 28:19-20.
Go make RIPPLES!
(Nate Benard Revised Translation)
To help you ripple better, here is a potential Bible reading plan for you.
https://www.bible.com/en/reading-plans/17106
This is a 49-week challenge. If it takes you 98 weeks, it is OK. It is not a race. Walking with God in a journey.
Ripple well!
Photo by Robert Anderson on Unsplash
