I can see the picture clearly in my mind - the picture of a quiet lake rippling in the breeze. No part of the lake is untouched. No part of it can escape the moving waters. It symbolizes for me a picture of what happens in our world when the Holy Spirit blows upon us. While some may seek to escape His influence, they can never get away. Quietly, reverently the breath of Christ touches all.
There was a particular late afternoon in Tennessee when I found myself watching the beauty of rippling waters in a lake. I was taken with the pushing of the waters against the shoreline and of the way the boats going by impacted the lake at every turn. With every fish that jumped, ripples found their way far from where the fish had been. Ducks swam in groups and made trails of ripples of their own. None seemed to be able to escape the other. There we were, all on the same lake, all causing ripples on that perfect summer day.
What a picture of the body of Christ. All of us are out there, together, making ripples that point toward faith in Christ. No matter where one turns, Christ is in the process of working it all together for his glory. Romans 8:28 comes to mind, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Christ uses every ripple for good. And he desires to see us work together in order to accomplish His purpose on this earth.
Touching ripples. What are they? They are the ripples of faith that you and I leave. They are what happens when we run into each other out there in the kingdom of the lake of life. They are the impacts you and I make that when woven together, make an incredible difference in the kingdom.
Creation is a beautiful picture of touching ripples. Without the sun, the vegetation would not grow. Without the rains, everything would die. Each element of nature depends on the other to survive; thus creating for us a beautiful spiritual illustration of what the Christian community should be like…all working together.
Realize today that you are a ripple of faith, touching people, and changing their lives forever.
