Living here at the lake, a favorite part of each day is to watch the patterns on the surface of the water. An ever changing design, it’s easy to get lost in the view. Not unlike staring at clouds as they pass overhead.
Sometimes wind creates the liquid art. Boats and jet skis carve zig-zag wakes in the summer. Ducks and geese cut V patterns as they paddle along. Sometimes the lake is perfectly still.
A few days ago at sunrise I stood in the grass by the edge of the lake. It was blissfully cool and quiet. A Kingfisher screeched in the elm tree while a blue heron, watching for his breakfast to swim by, walked the shore. And all over the lake, little splashes. Fish jumping for flies flitting just above the surface. With every splash, a series of concentric circles spread across the water. The further they rippled out, the bigger the circles grew.
Ever wonder if what you do matters? Is the hard work and encouragement you’re putting forth everyday making a difference?
According to a recent Pew Research study, the average adult Facebook user has 338 people on their friend list. Unless you’ve been holed up in a cave most of your life, it’s likely you have many more friends than that. 338 might sound like a lot of people to you but if I started prompting you with questions I bet we could come up with a list at least that long.
For the sake of example, let’s round it down to 300 people. If you know 300 people and those folks are no more or less social than you are then they each know 300 people, too.
By a simple “friend of a friend” equation, you have access to 90,000 people. (300 x 300 = 90,000). Imagine. One degree separates you from a mid-size city of people. The implications, of course, are many. For purposes of business, marketing, communication and even ministry, being only one degree away from 90,000 people is exciting. Realizing those 90,000 people also have at least 300 friends and the possibilities get crazy.
Most of us are working hard at what God puts in front of us to do. We are immersed in raising our kids, growing our businesses, leading our teams, and teaching our students. We’re too busy to realize the ripple effect created by our efforts. We don’t stop to think that 90,000 people could be reached by what we do.
Whether we realize it or not, the fact remains. Our influence extends far beyond our awareness. When we are intentional in doing the good works God has prepared for us to do, the ripple effect we create impacts far more people than we realize.
Perhaps you’ve heard it said, “If you make a difference for one person, you change the world.” It’s true. Because it’s impossible to make a difference for only one person. Because that person is connected to other people. Make a difference for him or her and you make a difference for every person they know. The Minnesota farmer who gave me advice when I ran out of gas as 16-year old kid has made a difference in hundreds, if not thousands, of lives because I’ve told the story and passed on his sage wisdom to all my students and in messages I’ve preached over the last 25 years. That farmer has been gone for at least 20 years. Yet the ripple of his wisdom continues to roll out.
The small splashes you’re making in your family, friends, work and ministry may not seem like much. Some days you might be discouraged thinking you’re not making a dent, let alone a difference. When I started writing my columns many years ago, I was consumed with wondering who was reading them and if they were making a difference. After a time, I realized my focus on the potential ripples my writing might create wasn’t healthy. It was distracting me from my responsibility, which is to create. So I made a conscious decision that has served me well. I decided my only job is to write the best I can with the gifts and talents God has given me. After I hit the “send” button it becomes God’s business as to what He will, or won’t, do with my effort.
As you’re hard at it, doing the works in front of you that God has prepared for you to do, know that your influence extends far beyond your awareness. Keep your head down and keep at it. God will honor your effort.
Simply put?
Make the splash.
Trust God for the ripples.
“For we are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God has prepared in advance for us to do.” – Ephesians 2:10
Todd A. Thompson – toddthompson.net
Thanks Todd for the great reminder of the Ripple Effect! What a gorgeous reminder God has given in your own back yard! I loved your phrase “liquid art!” I am so excited to hear about your e-book! You keep writing & we will keep praying! MORE than 90,000 people are waiting to hear!Blessings!
Thank you, Sheri, for your encouragement. And thanks for taking time to read and share 🙂 Blessings to you!
Love the article, Todd! I’ve always loved the saying…Teachers affect eternity; they can never tell where their influence stops. It is easy to get discouraged and forget the difference we are making each day as we continue to work in the profession to which we’ve been called. Thanks for the reminder!
Now I need to know the wisdom the Minnesota farmer gave you when you ran out of gas. 🙂
Karen
Karen – Thanks for the kind words. I hope you and yours are healthy and well. Here’s the story about the farmer 🙂 https://toddthompson.net/out-of-gas/
Blessings to you! – tat