The Butterfly Effect

‘Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin...’ Zechariah 4:10 NLT

Have you heard about the butterfly effect? In physics, it describes how tiny changes in initial conditions (such as the flap of a butterfly’s wings) can affect weather thousands of kilometres away. Imagine—a fragile butterfly can alter weather patterns on another continent! Had it not flapped its wings, the trajectory of the weather system might have been vastly different. What can you learn from this? You may feel insignificant at times, as fragile as the butterfly. It may seem like you’re just flapping your wings when you are standing alone for truth and honesty in the workplace or the home. You say, ‘What can I do in the face of a problem this big?’ More than you think! Your faith, your words, your deeds, your prayers, your example, your kindness and persistence can release the power of God and activate the forces of Heaven to go to work in that situation. God loves to use things that we consider to be insignificant, like Moses’ rod which parted the Red Sea, or David’s slingshot that brought down a giant, or a boy’s lunch that fed a multitude. Your flapping wings can initiate changes that will influence lives around you for all eternity. Jesus said, ‘If you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.’ (Matthew 17:20 NKJV) It’s not about the size of the seed you sow, but about the God Who can make it grow. It’s not about the prayer you pray but about the greatness of One Who answers prayer.