“Live simply so others can simply live” that’s what a little wall plaque says in my bathroom. I noticed it again yesterday after months of paying no attention. Then later in the day I read a little article where a story was told about a woman considering a marriage proposal. She and her friend agreed that she loved the man who proposed. So her friend asked, “what is there to consider?” She replied, “Well, there are consequences to either decision that will effect the rest of my life and those around me. I’m taking this seriously!” That got me thinking. Have you ever thought about the ripple effect of even the “daily” things you do?
So many times I’m confronted with a decision and I just make the decision with very little thought. You know, what do I want for breakfast? Should I start laundry before or after doing paperwork? When am I going to exercise? Truth is each of those decisions although very “daily” and ordinary effect someone else. If I fix a “cooked” breakfast I should at least offer to my husband a hot breakfast but if I just have cereal, he can get his own. If I don’t do laundry until later will he not have clean jeans when he needs them? When or even if I’m going to exercise, now there’s something that only effects me, right? Nope, if I don’t take care of myself there will be a day of reckoning. And when that day comes it’s very likely that I will need someone to take care of me!
Now I’m back to Ephesians 2:10 (Amplified Version)…that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us (taking paths which He prepared ahead of time), that we should walk in them…. Notice the verbage. That we may do, taking paths, not we “have” to, or being “forced to go one way”. We get to choose. Even though the God of all the universe created us AND created a path which He prepared for us, we get to choose whether we walk that path. And here’s the kicker, whatever path we choose it effects those around us.
Have you thought about the ripple effect in your life?
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