I love being by the water in the summer. Every time I was on the edge of a calm pond I would try to skip rocks with little success. Most times my rock would just plop into the water without skipping even once. Instead of getting frustrated with myself about my lack of coordination, I learned to appreciate the ripples the rocks made upon the calm surface of the pond water.
The last Bible Study, until we begin anew in the fall, mentioned a simple way to visualize the good effects of your faith. “Consider that believers are like stones thrown into a pond—our lives are meant to have a rippling effect so others can feel the influence of our gifts and faith.”1 The “ripples in a pond” metaphor is commonly used to illustrate the idea that small actions can have large and far-reaching effects. This imagery suggests that even seemingly insignificant actions can create waves of change that spread outward and impact many people or situations.
Ponder your own ripples, what do you find? Can you identify someone who has come to faith because you shared your own? Perhaps someone felt the Spirit’s peace with your gentle presence in times of turmoil? Perhaps God has used you to bring justice in a situation of great injustice. Can you identify the ripples you are leaving in the lives of others?
Our greatest joy is becoming a stone in God’s hand to be thrown into the water or skipped across the surface of the pond. Whatever pond you find yourself in today, allow your ripples to spread across the surface. Allow God to use you in mighty ways as you live out your faith in the world. Just because summer is here doesn’t mean you can ignore the call of God to spread your ripples.
“Unlike the ripples created by an ordinary stone, the ripple effect of faith need never stop as long as we live. Pray that God will make waves with your faith, even rocking a few boats along the way.”1 Whether home, in your cabin, in your motorhome, hiking, walking, or on vacation continue to spread ripples for God this summer!
Blessings,
Pastor Linda
Pastor Linda’s Cell Phone: 585 330-0618
Pastor Linda’s Office e-mail: pastorlinda11@gmail.com