Ripple Effect

A baby is born and life is never the same again. From that first breath of air until the last, change is inevitable and unstoppable ... This is true of every baby...but particularly so in birth of Jesus.

Matthew 2:1-6

After Jesus had been born at Bethlehem in Judaea during the reign of King Herod, suddenly some wise men came to Jerusalem from the east asking, 'Where is the infant king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose and have come to do him homage.' When King Herod heard this he was perturbed, and so was the whole of Jerusalem. He called together all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, and enquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, 'At Bethlehem in Judaea, for this is what the prophet wrote: And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, you are by no means the least among the leaders of Judah, for from you will come a leader who will shepherd my people Israel.'

Shepherds, kings, wise men, "the whole of Jerusalem"... everything and everyone was shaken in one way or another by the news of this birth. And the ripple effect continues!

Change in one place always stimulates change in another -- it may be predictable and orderly like this image:



We accept (and generally enjoy) the process of change when we have some reasonable glimpse of the pace and configuration. Most folks like predictable developments: For example, I till my garden, plant seeds, water the soil, thin the sprouts, remove the weeds, harvest the crop, can or freeze the bounty, and enjoy the fruits of my labor. Some processes of change work that way. There is an evenness of development...like concentric circles radiating from an epicenter.

But not always. Sometimes the patterns of change are more irregular...unpredictable...

The principle of "ripple effect" still stands, but it may look more like this:




When we fear change or make attempts to obstruct its flow, the course may be altered. We may deny, avoid, or resist change, even when it is actually in our best interest. But it WILL proceed. It is as simple as that.

So...take a look again at the way Christ's birth has begun a "ripple effect" upon various regions of your life. Perhaps your thoughts are moving in a different way. Or maybe a relationship...or two...or three have been nudged in a surprising direction.

How has the gift of God's amazing, loving presence that has "plopped" into your heart initiated change? How are you responding?