A calling to write what He leads, no matter how uncomfortable...
Because simple daily Christian living is never what we thought it would be
Throw a Stone
This morning an article came out in the newspaper of our small town. Often I have seen such articles published. Someone has an opinion. Someone has a complaint. Someone is upset. Someone has truly been wounded by something that has happened. Most articles reveal a lot of information about the people and situations involved, maybe too much. Some are just vague. Today’s article seemed vague. I could tell that the person writing the article was extremely concerned. They had been offended. They felt that they had been wronged and were wanting a change so that no one else would be wounded in the same way. There was validity in the article, but mostly there was just emotional negativity. Articles that spread such negative emotion are the squeaky wheels of today’s video media and printed publications.
Why is it that they are so well published? Some would say that these articles are so popular because of current declining human nature (this is my favorite because, since The Fall, I thought we were all about on the same level). Others might say that it is just the fad of this age, that this will be what defines our literary character for the decade (tabloids and gossip columns). Still, a few would just tell you simply that “it is what sells papers” (no explanation needed in our greedy society). In some instances, I understand that the information…”the news” being printed, is just the record of the worsening conditions of the earth on which we live. But honestly, do we have to engage in the proclamation of our worsened reactions to these inevitable situations? Do we have to put our very worst foot forward in response to even the average human situations? I do completely understand that there are certain things that we cannot control. On the other hand, I can always control me. I can control my reactions. And, I don’t think we have to completely understand how we have gotten to this point as a society before we begin to create change.
But how?
How do we, do I, become a catalyst of change for the good? A better question is, what can be said about us, about me, that when I see something that really needs changed, I do not make an attempt to create change…to be the cause…or to start a positive ripple.
That’s exactly what I thought of this morning while reading the newest complaint in the paper; should I be a catalyst in this situation?
Should I get involved?
Will it “go south on me”?
Should I be the one to start a ripple?
Should I, could I be the one person who takes an action in a different direction?
And please understand that I believe there are good reasons and necessary causes to write opinionated letters. More than most, I believe that taking action is always the right move. Even Christ ripped through the temple, reacting destructively, for the Good Cause. But that isn’t what I am addressing. I am speaking of the more opinionated, more self-serving, less really “for the greater good” letters and articles; of reactions with hugely impacting negative destruction. A catalyst of positive change must look beyond self and individual situation, and see the bigger picture. While helping an individual or solving a single problem, the change agent for good must be careful to start a ripple that will make positive change when considering the whole population.
So I threw a stone. I was not stoning any one; I was trying to produce a positive ripple. I knew how the article that I had read would affect the hearts of so many individuals who had dedicated their work days, their very energies and lives, to the education of children. I also know that in the midst of a long and almost hopeless battle (such as educating in a society that shows very little respect for those higher pursuits) such negative comments cut deeper and spread wider than superficial wounds.
It causes a ripple into the discussion of children and their parents. It gets bigger and longer and washes over a community and its businesses. And, it breaks the strength and passion of those in the front lines. So, I thought to myself, wouldn’t a comment in the positive, also create a similar kind of ripple? So, I picked up the biggest stone I could handle and I threw it with all of my strength. And, the stone skipped and jumped and slid across the waters and landed exactly where I had aimed.
It was just an ordinary stone, but it held the hope and righteousness of God. You see, I used my gift, the gift He gave me, and used it for His purposes. I wrote an encouraging letter to the principal and the staff at the school. I let them know that not all parents have the same perspective. I gave specific examples of how we have had positive and enriching experiences under their care, under their influence. And, I thanked them for making the effort. I did not elaborate. I did not exaggerate. I did not try to argue the specifics of the article that was published. My goal was not to prove anyone right or wrong. I had no desire to offend the writer or destroy the other article’s creditability. I just wrote a few words that truthfully described my positive perspective.
Do I understand why the original article was published, you ask?
Have I, myself, been wounded?
Have I been cut to the wick by people and situations?
Have I bled until there seems nothing left to bleed?
Have I felt like screaming at the unfairness?
Have I actually screamed?
Oh, you better believe it. But, what has that screaming solved?
Did it end by building up or just destroying?
Who was I serving in the midst of my reaction?
So be assured, the only preaching I am doing is to me. But after years of looking back at the end result of those negative spreading ripples…of those bad reactions…I choose to create change through waves of positive influences. Because, life is hard, days are painful, and I want to “Love my neighbor as myself” and spread Christlikeness as far as I can. It is the only change that has a sweet aftertaste.
Within minutes of my send button being pushed, a response was received. The ripple began. And it did skip and it did jump and it created more rings and ripples than I could have ever imagined. The love of God has the power to do this. It was not that I wrote any great masterpiece. My words were direct and simple. But because simple righteousness in the wake of God’s strength can take on immeasurable power…it grew. The ripple grew and passed on the positive…the goodness…the uplifting…and then the positive came back to me. I received eleven responses in as many minutes. Positive comments flooded my own mail box: Responses that said that their day was just a little brighter and that their weakened hearts would be a little lighter. And it continues.
We, as people, have seen the power of the ripple, mostly when it is negative. We have been bruised ourselves by the forcefulness of those waves. And, sometimes those rings of negative comments and responses come at us in such force that it takes exhausting efforts to stand…to keep our feet under us. But as Christians, we must stand. And just our standing there will break the intensity of the ripple, slowing the waves…and maybe even stopping them.
And, as we stand we will remember, that just one individual, with just one small stone, can stand in the presence of the Lord…and with renewed courage, can take on the giants that destroy. Just like David, with Christ, we have that same power. Sure, anyone can throw a stone and spread some positive…and they should. But if you have Christ within you, imagine the power and velocity it will take on when it is thrown.
What can you do in your church to stop the negative and feed the positive?
What statement can you start in your schools?
Whose reputation can you save?
How can you influence your community?
What person on your block needs the touch of human attention?
What does your family need to hear?
What about your husband?
What about your child?
There are a thousand things that you can do; that each of us can do to create a change from the actions and reactions that destroy, to the movement of actions that build and encourage.
Consider your gifts.
You were designed to use them.
Be strong.
Be courageous.
Pick up a stone…and throw.
In obedience
Rhonda D Loucks
We, as people, have seen the power of the ripple, mostly when it is negative. We have been bruised ourselves by the forcefulness of those waves. And, sometimes those rings of negative comments and responses come at us in such force that it takes exhausting efforts to stand…to keep our feet under us. But as Christians, we must stand. And just our standing there will break the intensity of the ripple, slowing the waves…and maybe even stopping them.
Throw a Stone
What can you expect? Straight talk, laughable humor, real truth, simple living, and passionate yearning...
all regarding the God that still involves Himself in the details of the lives of His people