The Butterfly Effect
The butterfly effect was founded years ago. It states that a butterfly can cause wind changes hundreds of miles away from a location just by fluttering it’s wings. Edward Lorenz was perceived to be crazy when he suggested this but it eventually became a principle of science.
At Sunday school this Sunday, our leader spoke about the butterfly effect and related it in a very practical way that made me think long and hard about what I do and the impact I, and you, can have on others. Just as it is stated in the principle of the chaos theory based on the original idea of the butterfly effect, a butterfly can, from many miles away, cause a tornado with just the flutter of its wings. We too, can change the course of lives hundreds, thousands or just a few miles from us. With every decision we make, every action we take, and every person we speak too, we can make a change. If we speak kindly or say hello to a stranger, it may change the course of their day and their life could be changed forever. If we do a random act of kindness, we may be a witness to someone who has never had something kind done for them.
After church, I met with one of my supporters who adopted-a-jar. He told me about a time when he was in the Subway in New York and acknowledged a random man. The man sat down beside him and said, ‘I’ve never been acknowledged by anyone on the subway before’. They stayed on the subway and talked for 3 hours, completely changing his whole plan for the day. But it makes me wonder, how was that man’s day going? Was he having a tough day? Was he questioning if anyone cared for him? What was he struggling with? Could a single acknowledgement have changed the course of his entire life? Our actions, words and decisions can make a difference whether we think so or not.
The world race is much more to me than a trip or adventure. This is a time for me to dig into Christ, to grow in my walk with him, and to possibly have the opportunity to change the course of hundreds of people’s lives for not just this mortal life, but for eternity. My prayer is that I am a butterfly. That I would be a light to the nations, an encouragement to hurting and broken people, and that my team and I would make lasting and eternal impacts on people groups all over the world because of our love of our perfect Savior. Will you be a butterfly with me? Being a part of what the Lord has called me to is you taking a step of faith and trusting that your gift, prayers, and encouragement will change lives forever and leave little butterflies all over the world! Will you prayerfully consider joining me in this world changing mission for Christ?
‘If the wind goes where you send it, so will I’
