A place of encouragement:

Living By Faith, Walking in the Light, Saved By His Amazing Grace

Monday, March 22, 2010

The Ripple Affect, Make Some Waves!

Did you ever just touch the water with your finger tip? It makes an ever slight miniature wave. You barely have to get your finger wet to make the water move. I had my son put the tip of his finger in one side of the pool just to see what would happen.With just the tip of his finger a single ripple moved out towards the center of the pool. I had my doubts that it would ever make it to the other side, but it did. Then with enthusiasm we prolonged this little experiment to see what would happen if he put his whole finger in, and instantly not just one ripple but three moved to the other side of the pool. Before we ended our science experiment, we had to try his whole hand. When he put his whole hand in the water, the whole bottom of the pool became blurry with all of the movement of the water and there were too many ripples to count.
What if we dipped into church that way, so to speak. If we just put even the tips of our fingers in to help. The ripple affect would start. Now imagine putting your whole hand in, what if you were brave enough to take that leap of faith into unknown water. {outside of church} Knowing there may be jelly fish that could sting you, sharks that could devour you, and whales that could swallow you whole! I know, right now your thinking I'm being a little bit dramatic. Just put your sea caps on and get your sea legs ready and just go with me here.
Jonah jumped in. Not because he wanted to.  God told Jonah to go to Ninveh. Instead of listening to God Jonah ran, he didn't want to get his feet wet. All because of fear and unbelief that God's plan would work. so what does he do, he boards a ship. Not too bright for someone who was afraid to take that leap of faith. We all know what happens in the end. Jonah gets thrown over board and a big huge whale swallows him whole.
Now I've never been inside a whale before, but I can imagine the shear terror that Jonah was in. Once over the pure shock, what do you do inside a whale for three days? Besides the obvious, like thinking of a way out. Jonah was not only thinking of a way out, I bet he was thinking what a fool he was for not listening to God. He should of known God would have taken care of him. He should of put his trust in him. Easier said than done you say? At times I would agree with you, but sooner or later we all have to make the decision to take off the floaties or swimmies which ever you prefer and swim for Christ! Set sail with Captain Christ!
Why are we as believers in Christ so afraid to make waves? Why don't we rock the boat? Every one else does and it's not for Jesus. People are not afraid to make waves for issues such as gay rights, legalizing abortion, not supporting our troops. the list goes on. Why are we not passionate about our Jesus? Why are we not making waves? All it takes is a finger tip to start a ripple. What if we all jumped in at once? Imagine the waves! Forget waves, I'm talking Tsunami!!! Oh beloved all the great, wonderful things that God could accomplish through His little swimmers. Think of the waves washing over all of the lost, how they would wash them clean.
Did you ever notice how important water is to planet earth and all who inhabit her? Of course you have. Most of us have been in a situation where your not the least bit thirsty until someone tells you you can't have water. Suddenly you become so dry that your mouth feels like the Sahara Dessert. Nothing else will do not soda, not juice, not milk. Just WATER!!!
Do you think it's just a coincidence that we need water to live and that God uses baptism by water as a symbolism of new life. Jesus took a leap of faith! So we could rise up out of the water into new life and cause a ripple affect. So that you and I could be washed by His blood. Jesus caused some serious waves. Don't let those waves slowly fade away. Get your swimming trunks on take that leap of faith and go make some waves!

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