Eternal Ripples

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

Have you ever created an eternal ripple? I bet you have, you just weren’t aware of it. I am not sure if this is the appropriate term, but it makes sense to me (I might have made it up, if I did, I call dibs) and it sounds cool.

An eternal ripple is a God ordained action, reaction, conversation or word said to another person or group of people causing them to act in such a way that eternally changes their lives. The ripple continues when this “changed” person carries on the God ordained actions, reactions, conversations or words to others around them; therefore creating an eternal ripple (I also think you are part of a bigger eternal ripple, but I will not go into that).

I think many times you don’t know how your lifestyle or words affect people, but sometimes you get to hear stories or witness them with your own eyes. I love watching God move and work; recently I heard how a co-workers life was changed and I thought I would share.

I started working at an insurance company at the age of 18 and quickly found myself transferred to a new division, with a new manager from Indiana. She was trained in the many ways of cooperate America and excited about her job. On several occasions, she overheard me talking about my faith to co-workers; this immediately sent up a red flag in her book. I was called in for a “closed door meeting” and asked to keep my religious talk out of the office because it was inappropriate and offensive. Respecting my manager, I respected her wishes to an extent, but I am hard to keep quiet.

I am not sure how much time past, but about two months later she called me into her office and said, “Tell me about this Jesus stuff.” In November of 2003 she made profession of faith in Jesus Christ.

I get an e mail the other day from my former manager who, lost her first husband, re-married and has since had a son. From what she tells me, he keeps her on her toes, but the most important thing about the e mail she sent me was the eternal ripple. She said, “without you, my son has an opportunity to grow up and know Jesus as a child or teenager, instead of me figuring it out when I did as an adult.” She has such a powerful testimony, I am so glad to count her as a friend and sister in Christ.

I don’t think she gives me all the credit (I know she doesn't), cause I was only God’s tool in the process, but it is neat to find out how God uses you to pass on His eternal ripple. So, what eternal ripples are you stirring up? Go out and make one!

For more on Eternal Ripples check out "The Church" in "Church," by my buddy Keith.

God Bless.