Ripples
Dave Faust
A few weeks ago I spoke for the National Senior Adult Convention at Central Christian Church in Mesa, Arizona. The warm desert air was a nice change from the chilly north where I live, so I set out for an early morning walk on a trail near my motel. The trail wound its way past a canal where fishing boats bobbed by the dock and the water's smooth surface served as a canvas for reflected sunbeams, palm branches, and orange trees.
A mallard duck, with a shiny green head and a white ring around its neck, soared past my head. Sticking out its webbed feet, the duck slid into the water like a baseball player sliding into second base. Quickly the duck shook its feathers and began to swim straight down the middle of the wide canal, which was perhaps 100 feet across. As the duck paddled quietly along, it created a v-shaped wedge of ripples that spread all the way from one side of the water to the other. Amazing, I thought, that one small creature could make so many waves.
But then, you and I do too. More than a thousand seniors gathered for the convention that week, and as I interacted with this wonderful group of Christians, it became obvious that they have made ripples of a different kind. They talked about exciting things their churches are doing and mission trips they have taken. They told me about young preachers they are proud to know and new Christians who are coming to their churches. And of course, they showed me photos of their grandchildren—lots and lots of photos! Most of these senior saints decided to follow Jesus Christ many years ago, but their decisions continue to have a ripple effect decades later on their own and succeeding generations.
The ripple effect has been around a long time. Others live in the wake of our decisions, both good and bad. Abraham believed God's Word, and God blessed all nations. The young widow Ruth remained loyal to the God of Israel, and eventually her descendants included King David and the Messiah himself. Esther bravely intervened on behalf of God's people and helped to spare thousands from annihilation. So many ripples!
But some ripples push people farther from the Lord. All of us still live in the wake of Adam and Eve's sin. The wicked King Ahab "sold himself to do evil in the eyes of the Lord" (1 Kings 21:25) and led many astray. The evil King Manasseh had a son named Amon who "did evil in the eyes of the Lord, as his father Manasseh had done" (2 Kings 21:20). So many ripples! As the Bible says, the sins of some men "trail behind them" (1 Timothy 5:24), leaving destruction in their wake.
"A man reaps what he sows" (Galatians 6:7). We live with the consequences of our personal choices. And others live with them too. Even generations yet unborn will be affected by the decisions we make and the actions we take.
What kind of ripples will you make today?
This column first appeared in The Lookout on Apr 9, 2000.
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