Ripples

In the stillness of midday, a picturesque scene is before you. Surrounded by grand mountain peaks, there lies a looking glass of water deep.  The afternoon can almost be mistaken for a painting on a wall except for the one detail that gives evidence of life:  a ripple in the water.  The canvas comes alive as the surface changes.  Tiny fans wave out and spread both toward and away from you.

Ripples.  A splash, or just a break on the surface, and what exists now displays an effect that propels the water outward.  The fortunate beholder of this scene is stunned by the beauty of the moment.  While they look on, I find myself lost in a deeper world of thought:  Does my life leave evidence of Christ, sending ripples that propel others toward the shores of eternity?

Can I say to my fellow laborers to be followers of me, even as I also am of Christ as Paul did in 1 Corinthians 11:1?  He reiterates the command in chapter four, verse sixteen:  I urge you, then, be imitators of me.  Paul was confident that he lived his life with the evidence of Christ on full display!  He never claimed to be perfect, but he aim for that goal and expect others to follow suit. We see this in Philippians 3:12-14:  Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.  Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 

Paul lived focused on an allegiance and commitment to the Lord God Almighty.  This was it.  This is where he began and ended each day for he knew that he wasn’t living this life for earthly gain.  He was boldly confident that his citizenship was in heaven.  But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,  (Philippians 3:20).

Paul purposefully and intentionally followed Christ in all he said and did.  He lived in such a way that his heart was in tune to the Holy Spirit.  As a result, he could consistently respond to his brothers in Christ by saying, “Imitate me as I imitate my Christ.”  By his example, he inspired others to follow suit.  The Jesus in him seeped out and bubbled over.  It spilled out and propelled others toward the mark.

This is what happens when we live lives with intention set on eternal things.  Our daily interactions will become the motivation that urges others toward Jesus.  Kindness will be the response in the midst of anger and hurt.  Grace will flow out, the gospel will be FELT and EXPERIENCED in the flesh of our daily interactions.  Forgiveness will be lavished without hesitation, because we will live forgiven much!  We will begin to do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross (Philippians 2:3-8).

This is how we create those ripples.  This is how a difference is made in the lives of those around us.  We live INTENTIONALLY like JESUS.  Every day and every moment we live in surrendered commitment.  Our pride is laid low.  Our flesh is buried deep and our sins are forever forgiven under the exalting work of the CROSS OF CHRIST.   Our thoughts aren’t spent in defending ourselves, protecting ourselves, promoting ourselves, or projecting an image of how we want others to see us.  Instead, we move forward with a love and obsession with our Savior that consumes everything about us.

So that now, when we fail and when we fall, we recognize the stumbling.  We swiftly apologize. We repent and keep moving forward in love.

But it doesn’t end there.  When others fail, and when others fall, we don’t hesitate.  We step alongside them and lovingly offer our hands and our support.  We forgive and embrace because flesh is messy, but GRACE is complete.

Today’s Challenge:  In every interaction you are given with others, love.  Smile.  Compliment.  Offer grace.  Forgive completely.  Love people where they are.  Cast aside expectations.  Show kindness regardless.  Walk slowly with someone as they are working out their salvation with fear and trembling.  (Philippians 2:12)  This is a splash that ripples big and ripples wide.  This is Jesus.