A Christian “Butterfly Effect”

I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants…(Deut. 30:19 NASB)According to Chaos Theory, the Butterfly Effect states that a small action in one place can effect even larger actions in another place. For example, a butterfly flaps its wings in Japan, has an effect on wind patterns that eventually influences a hurricane on the other side of the planet.

Sometimes, small decisions can greatly affect our lives in big ways. We all make hundreds of decisions every day. We make so many decisions that we are not always aware that we are making them. They are almost subconscious with little or no forethought. Large decisions, however, usually require concentration and deliberation before a final choice is made. Most people think long and hard about getting married, a big decision for sure.

Let me present an example of how a small decision can affect your schedule, other people, and even economics. Think this scenario through with me:

My wife, Susan, and I are driving home from an event that took place ten miles away. As we travel I suggest that we go out to eat before going home. Susan agrees while at the same time bemoans the possibility of gaining another pound for the next day’s weigh-in. We both weigh in every morning. What a waste of time Uggghhh.

Anyway, we choose a local Mexican restaurant that takes us a total of eight miles out of our way. Already, because of this decision, I will burn more gas than usual and thus put more money in some service station’s bank account.

We arrive at the restaurant and order our food. As I take my first bite of the juicy burrito, a large gooey clump of meat, cheese, and lettuce plops into my lap and forms a big wet stain on my pants.

Now at this point, I have spent money for a meal that I ordinarily would not eat. More of my unbudgeted money goes to the restaurant. Also, my tip goes to my waiter, another economic impact of my small, now regretted, decision to eat out.

What do I do about my pants? I have to take them to the cleaners and that means I have to return home first, change pants, and then return to the laundry. More unbudgeted money will now go into my local laundry. I will also now have to buy even more gas than planned.

Keep in mind too that the various businesses that got my money will now have that money to spend again. This will affect many others down the economic chain.

This has been a quick trip, but I trust you can see how even the smallest decision can change things, sometimes for the good and sometimes, such as in my case, for the worse. It was worse for me and not for the others who got my money.

In the spiritual realm, decisions have both immediate and eternal consequences. Some consequences occur because we don’t make decisions. If we simply refuse to choose Jesus, we are deemed to be against him (Matthew 12:30). If we fail to accept Jesus as Savior and Lord, we, by default, go to hell. Decisions have consequences so it is crucial that we think things through especially spiritual things.

When we decide to follow Jesus and obey Him, we gain eternal rewards. We may also get additional benefits in the here and now. In other cases we may obey, receive eternal rewards, but suffer in the here and now. For example, some Saints are called to be martyrs or to suffer other types of hardship. Decisions have consequences.

God puts a decision before us today. “Choose life in order that you may live.” Choose Jesus so that you may live and not die (John 11:26). What have you decided? Not to choose is to choose.