Like Ripples Through the Water

When you throw a rock into water, it creates several ripples or waves around the area where the rock falls. I like to think that this is similar to what happens when we connect with people. The Bible tells us that Jesus was intentional in connecting with people. When He met the Samaritan woman at the well the Bible says that “He had to go through Samaria” (John 4:4). Some can interpret that and say that Samaria was on His way to where He was going. That’s probably true, but we could also say that He meant to go through Samaria. In any case, Jesus intentionally went to Samaria and carried a message of love and hope to a woman in despair. How many of us are that intentional when we plan to meet a brother, friend or anyone? I like using the example I mentioned earlier because it’s the same when we intentionally connect with people. For instance, when the rock hits the water, it splashes and creates a small zone of impact that is easily seen. Then the ripples begin to form creating more and more ripples that are distant from where the rock first hit. Our lives have the potential to represent that rock when we choose to have Jesus Christ, our rock, in our hearts. Each ripple can represent each person we touch by giving them the same message of hope and love that Jesus gave the Samaritan woman. Instead of judging the Samaritan woman He offered her living water. We can choose to be great witnesses and impact many people, some to whom we may never know simply because we were intentional with one person. As a result, our churches can grow by the domino effect. In other words, the

key is to be intentional with love and sincerity and that develops through a sincere relationship with Christ. I urge you to move forward and exercise the words of the New Testament, “you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind … Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37, 39). Only then will you become like rocks that make ripples in water.