During the 1960’s, a man named Edward Lorenz (a meteorology professor at MIT), made a shocking discovery. While running data through a weather simulator, he rounded one of the variable calculations from .506127 to .506 – a seemingly small variation. However, this resulted in a wide range of weather pattern deviations which affected two months of simulated weather patterns.[1] This discovery is now commonly known as “the butterfly effect.” This is typically depicted by the idea that if a butterfly flaps its wings in London, it will cause a tornado in Kansas. Put simply, small actions can have long-term, unintended consequences.
We can see this idea represented throughout scripture as well. In her book “Secret Storms,” Jo Ann Mills writes about how Noami’s actions impacted her daughter-in-law, Ruth, for a lifetime. “Because of Naomi’s love and guidance, Ruth became the great-grandmother of King David – and an ancestor of Jesus of Nazareth!”[2]. How true this is! In Ruth 3:1–6, we read of Noami providing Ruth with specific instructions for how to obtain favor in the eyes of Boaz. In verse 11 of that same chapter, we read of Boaz’s response: “And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman." Ruth’s loyalty to Naomi fueled her into becoming the hard-working woman of integrity that Boaz would eventually marry; and ultimately a member of the blood-line of Christ (Matthew 1:5-16).
In Naomi’s case, the effect that she had on Ruth was a positive one. However, there are negative outcomes that can result from the butterfly effect as well. Consider the warning in James 3: 5 regarding the tongue: “Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!” There is no way of knowing how fast a forest fire will spread once it has started. The same is true about the words that we say to others. Once those words escape from our lips, there is no taking them back. There may be opportunities down the road for forgiveness and repentance, but in some cases, the damage is unrepairable. Marriages, friendships, even congregations, can be torn apart by the unruly evil and deadly poison sent forth from the tongue (James 3: 8).
In Revelation 14: 13, we read these words: “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them." This verse provides the faithful Christian with an important reminder – that our works do follow us. The lasting impact that we have on others will continue to live on longer than we will physically on this earth. The men who recorded for us the written words of scripture (through inspiration of the Holy Spirit, of course) are a prime example. Even those these words were recorded hundreds of years ago, we can read and learn from them what we must do in order to be saved even today! By living faithfully and teaching others about the gospel, the butterfly effect that will result is immeasurable and should not be underestimated.
Endnotes
[1] Dizikes, Peter. MIT NEWS MAGAZINE. “When the Butterfly Effect Took Flight.” February 22, 2011.
[2] Mills, Jo Ann. Secret Storms, Publishing Designs, Inc., Huntsville, AL, 2013, pg. 141.
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