Recently on a bright sunny cool fall day here in Madison, Mississippi, we went to the largest body of water in the area – a 33,000 acre man made reservoir. I love water – lakes, rivers, oceans, waterfalls, etc. We drove out on the jetty with water all around and watched the seagulls dip in the water for fish and the few speedboats whiz by.
I enjoyed the ripple effect of the water from the speedboats. It brought life to the waters and gave a little splashing noise as the water licked the edge of the rocks. The definition of ‘ripple effect’ is a spreading effect or series of consequences caused by a single action or event.
We are in the season of celebrating the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ who came as God manifest in the flesh. Christ’s birth has had a ripple effect down through the ages that has changed millions of people’s destinations for eternity. God gave His life so that we might have life more abundantly.
God has given each of us one life to live as a gift to others. It is how we live this life that will determine our destiny/destination or eternity. Our life will influence those who are around us either positively or negatively with its ripple effect.
The Bible says we are known by our fruit = actions (Matt. 7:16). We are an open book read of all men (2 Cor. 3:2). Every tree is known by its own fruit (Luke 6:44). The most precious ripple effect gift I can give to those around me is my gift of holiness unto the Lord. The only cost is my willingness to lay down my selfishness and be an imitator of the Lord Jesus Christ. I desire for my holy heart, holy words, holy motives and holy actions to influence others for God’s righteousness.
Being holy is a choice in heart and actions. The Greek definition of holy is to be “sacred, pure, blameless, consecrated, separated, properly revered (deep respect), worthy of veneration, God-likeness, God’s innermost nature, set apart for God, reserved for God and His Purpose. A holy God calls for a holy people.”
Matthew 5:16 Amp – instructs us to “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your moral excellence and your praiseworthy, noble, and good deeds and recognize and honor and praise and glorify your Father Who is in heaven.” Our purpose in life is to glorify God in our body and spirit, which are God’s (1 Cor. 6: 19 & 20). I’m determined this season and all of my life to give the gift of the ripple effect to glorify God in my body. This gift keeps on giving and the rewards are eternal.
What will your ripple effect gift be? This gift does not cost money, but it does challenge us to ‘present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God which is our reasonable ‘worship’ – we know that is God’s good, acceptable and perfect will for us.’ (Roms. 12: 1 & 2 Amp). As we present our bodies as a living sacrifice, let our ripple effect be the present that we wrap and put under the tree as unto the Lord for His glory!
(c) Carol Clemans – December 2013
Carol Clemans is a Certified Pastoral Counselor/anointed Bible teacher for churches & conferences. She provides nationwide phone/Skype counseling – (636) 448-0121. Go to: www.carolclemans.org for articles and teaching products & book: God’s Design for Marriage. The Clemans’ pastor is Jerry Dillon of Madison, MS.