The Ripple Effect

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9

Don’t we always think we have a better way?  At work, if they would just do things our way, it would be so much better. At home, at church, our ideas and plans are so much better than what is happening. If they would just listen to us and do it the way we want or, so we think.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

We also try to impose our will on God. If He would just do things our way and, in our timing, it would all work out better, faster and easier. We don’t understand why things must be so difficult.

God understands when we pray for things for ourselves, our families and friends. It is human nature. He gave us a brain and we use it to come up with great ideas that can be used for His glory, but we are missing one important part.

We forget the ripple effect.

God’s ripple effect is like dropping a rock into a puddle. What affects us, affects those around us and what affects them, affects those around them and so on. We think our ideas would work out great and that might be true for us, but the ripple effect is what God sees.

He is always working in the lives of everyone. This is amazing to think about. If God were to provide something for us that we want but isn’t right for us to have at this time, it might hurt another person (even without our knowledge) and that person might do something they shouldn’t or perhaps turn away from God altogether. The ripple goes on and on. In a short time, hundreds of people will be affected by what God did for us.

God sees all of it. He can see, all the way down the line throughout our lifetimes, the outcome of each action.

God works all things to the good of those who love Him.  It is impossible for us to imagine how He can do this in a world of millions of people.

The next time we ask God for something and wonder why He doesn’t do it our way, we should remember the millions of people who are affected by one action. We are asking for something that will influence hundreds and we don’t even care how.

God’s plan is perfect, His timing is perfect and even though we might struggle for a time, He is in control. It might be that what we are going through will have great positive consequences for others and help bring them to salvation. Most of us would give up a blessing if we knew someone would come into the kingdom because of our sacrifice.

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 

1 Thessalonians 5:18

We trust that God knows what He is doing and accept that whatever we are going through will bring His plans to fruition.

If God gave everyone what they want, when they want it, which He could (He is God after all), both sports teams would win, no one would have to work, all lights would turn green during rush hour, and it would rain and be sunny and warm at the same time.

Let us remember to pray as the Lord taught us.

Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10

Prayer: Lord it is difficult not to think our ideas are great. We ask you for what we think is best for us and our families but help us remember that you know what is best, not us. Give us the faith we need to trust in your plan and to remember that what happens for us affects others that you love and want to bless. Help us pray that your will is done in the lives of everyone. Amen