The Ripple Effect

Many years ago, I read a short story written by Catherine Martin...written in my devotional journal. It is so profound. It is certainly something that we need to be reminded of daily.

     "In the late 1800's, a Sunday School teacher named Edward Kimball learned that he was going to die. Because he knew he had little time left, he set out to lead all of his Sunday School students to the Lord. He led one to the Lord in the back room of a store. That student's name was Dwight L. Moody. Moody went on to become a great evangelist.
     One day Moody was preaching in Britain, and a teacher was moved by his message. She shared Moody's testimony with her students. Then she told her preacher that all of her students had given their lives to the Lord. That preacher's name was F. B. Meyer. The teacher's report moved Meyer to realize what it meant to be brokenhearted over sin and the great need to point others to Christ.
     Meyer came to America and preached at Moody's school in Northfield, Massachusetts. During his message, he gave a heartfelt challenge: 'If you're not willing to give up everything for Christ, are you willing to be made willing?' That remark moved the heart of a young preacher named J. Wilbur Chapman. He became a great evangelist during his time. When he returned to the pastorate, he turned over his ministry to the YMCA clerk who had been his advance man. His name was Billy Sunday.
     Billy Sunday conducted a revival meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina. Out of that meeting a group of laymen formed a permanent organization to continue sharing the message of Christ in their city. Eight years later, in 1932, that group brought an evangelist named Mordecai Ham to their area to conduct citywide evangelistic meetings. One evening during one of the meetings, a lanky, 16-year old boy stepped out of the choir and gave his life to Jesus Christ. His name was Billy Graham. And the ripple effect continues.
     Who knows the ripple effect that is occurring as a result of your relationship with the Lord? Will you be that radical disciple, yielded to Christ, with eyes fixed on Him? You will have such joy as you love others in His name."

Billy Sunday

Billy Graham

We just never know what one little act or word can influence someone's life for good, and then they influence someone else's life for good, and the ripple effect goes on and on.