Friday; July 19

Have you heard of the ripple effect? This concept stems from the impact of something thrown into a body of water. We might expect it to disrupt the point of contact, but the amazing part of the principle is that ripples extend out from the source and can impact the water quite a distance away from the epicenter. This physical principle has been adopted by people to explain how our actions as humans can have an impact on others – even those we’ll never meet. If we are nice to someone, they might be nice to someone else … and the ripples can extend out from there. (The same is true of negative interactions – but, let’s stay positive for a minute.) Maya Angelou seemed to grasp this concept when she observed. “I am convinced of this: Good done anywhere is good done everywhere. For a change, start by speaking to people rather than walking by them like they are stones that don’t matter. As long as you’re breathing, it’s never too late to do some good.”.

Most of us are familiar with this concept as it applies in a peaceful pond (or even in an isolated life), but how can we do this in a noisy, agitated, scary world? I think it is possible, but we must seek to make a bigger splash! The Apostle Paul provided us a way to do this, “So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.” (Colossians 3:12-13). If we hope to influence the world, we must be proactive and passionate about the good we hope to do. An accidental act of kindness might reach a few people, but a purposeful life just might change a community. When we “go big” we just might be the catalyst that makes a big splash in a big pond!

About It!

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